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| Page last updated: September 30, 2009 |
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Sexuality and depression
There may be a connection between masturbation and depression.
The study on women's sexuality and depression was conducted by researchers at the University of Texas in 2003:
Sexual Functioning and Self-Reported Depressive Symptoms Among College Women
by Penny Frolich and Cindy Meston, University of Texas, Austin (2003)
states:
Women with depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to have masturbated in the previous month than were control recipients.
Possible reasons for this are:
Loss of a lack of pleasure, women engaged in masturbation as a reliable source of pleasure.
Not being able to climax with a partner, women resorted to masturbation.
Feasible that depressive symptoms are associated with greater ruminations about sex and/or a greater urge to engage in self-soothing behaviors.
Another explanation is that depression and masturbation might be something of a vicious cycle involving unsatisfying relationships and social isolation. There may be a psycho-physiological component also, in the lack of a satisfying emotional relationship, along with solitary sexual activity. The body/mind is activated for a relationship, in the absence of this, depressive feelings are accentuated.
Clinical Study on Depression and Sexuality can be found at:
http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/group/MestonLAB/Publications/depress.pdf
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