Depression and Sexual Functioning in Minority Women: Current Status and Future Directions

Despite the increasing number of non-Caucasians in the United States, the overwhelming majority of research into both depression and sexuality has been conducted with European-American (Caucasian) samples. Sexual dysfunction and depression often co-occur, impacting relationship satisfaction, quality of life, and treatment adherence. These issues may be particularly salient for African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American women, yet this area of research has been relatively unexplored. Cultural factors may shape women's response to sexual dysfunction, resulting from the depression itself as well as antidepressant medication. Further research emphasizing gender and culture is needed to elucidate the prevalence, impact, and treatment of sexual dysfunction in specific groups of depressed minority women.