Temporal Trends and Differences in Sexuality among Depressed and Non-Depressed Adults in the United States

Abstract

This study aimed to examine temporal trends and differences in sexuality between depressed and non-depressed adults aged 18–59 in the United States from 2005 to 2016. A total of 21,437 people (5432 with depression) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. From 2005–2008 to 2013–2016, the average age at first sexual intercourse decreased, while the proportion of normal frequency of sexual activity and heterosexual sexual orientation increased among all the participants. Some differences in sexuality were found between the depressed and non-depressed groups. The average age at first sexual intercourse (p < 0.001), the proportion of normal frequency of sexual activity (p < 0.001), and heterosexual sexual orientation (p < 0.001) were lower in depressed participants, and the differences did not change over time (pfor trend = 0.926 of average age at first sexual intercourse, pfor trend = 0.823 of normal frequency of sexual activity, pfor trend = 0.926 of heterosexual sexual orientation). Moreover, these differences were associated with marital status (pfor interaction < 0.001 by average age at first sexual intercourse), employment status (pfor interaction < 0.001 by average age at first sexual intercourse), education status (pfor interaction = 0.023 by heterosexual sexual orientation) and family income status (pfor interaction = 0.013 by average age at first sexual intercourse and pfor interaction = 0.017 by normal frequency of sexual activity). In conclusion, the study found that the age at first sexual intercourse decreased and the frequency of sexual intercourse increased in all the participants, and differences in sexuality between depressed and non-depressed participants were present; however, these differences had no further increase or decrease during the 12-year period. These differences were associated with marital status, employment status, education status, and family income status. These findings show differences in sexuality between depressed and non-depressed patients but are somewhat different from previous studies; the results may provide directions for future research and social work.