FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AMONG YOUTH: THE IMPACT OF STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/1728.2748.2026.105.62-67Keywords:
female sexual dysfunction, stress, anxiety, depression, mental healthAbstract
Background. Female sexual dysfunction according to the current diagnostic criteria of DSM-5-TR is defined as a clinically significant impairment of sexual response, lasting at least 6 months and accompanied by pronounced distress. Psychological factors, in particular chronic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, are considered key predictors of sexual dysfunction. At the same time, data on young women in conditions of prolonged social stress remain limited, which necessitates the need for further research in this population. The study analyzes for the first time the relationship between subclinical sexual dysfunction and psychoemotional factors among Ukrainian youth in conditions of chronic stress.
Methods. The study used a literature review, a structured online questionnaire, standardized psychometric instruments (Female Sexual Function Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Anxiety Test), and statistical methods, including descriptive and correlational analyses. The sample consisted of 45 women (N = 45) aged 18 to 23 years. All participants participated in the survey voluntarily, with informed consent.
Results. Sexual dysfunction was detected in 69 % of respondents. Moderate stress was reported by 57.8 %, high stress by 42.2 %, and there were no cases of low stress. Mild anxiety was observed in 57.8 %, moderate – in 22.2 %, and severe – in 20.0 %. Low depression was detected in 71.1 % of respondents, moderate – in 24.4 %, and high – in 4.4 %. Correlation analysis revealed weak inverse, statistically insignificant relationships between sexual function and stress (r = −0.045), depression (r = −0.031), and anxiety (r = −0.159; p ≥ 0.05).
Сonclusions. Female sexual dysfunction demonstrated a high prevalence in the study sample. Correlation analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between indicators of sexual function and the level of stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. The data obtained do not confirm the role of psychoemotional factors as independent determinants of sexual dysfunction within the framework of this study; at the same time, they can be considered as potential modifying or triggering factors in the presence of other biopsychosocial influences. Further work requires a larger sample, a prospective design, and a comprehensive assessment of biological, psychological, and social factors.
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