Função sexual e sintomatologia depressiva na vivência da transição para a parentalidade: Comparação entre casais de diferentes estatutos reprodutivos

Abstract

The transition to parenthood represents a profound reorganization in couples' lives, with significant implications for sexual function and psychological well-being of both partners. Although the literature extensively documents sexual and psychological changes during this period, it remains unclear how different reproductive stages, from the pre-conception period to postpartum, differentially influence couples' sexual and emotional dynamics. The present study sought to address this gap by comparing sexual function and depressive symptomatology in a sample of 435 heterosexual couples distributed across four distinct reproductive stages: pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, and trying to conceive without an infertility diagnosis. Using a dyadic approach through mixed analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM), we compared how these dimensions relate and differ across distinct reproductive phases. Results revealed that the postpartum is a challenging context for sexual function and dyadic desire, with gender differences for the latter. Women consistently demonstrated lower sexual function than their partners across all reproductive stages. The APIM model identified significant actor effects of women's depressive symptomatology on their own sexual function. These results underscore the need for clinical interventions sensitive to gender and reproductive context, recognizing women's increased vulnerability and the postpartum period as particularly challenging.