Influence of mastery and sexual frequency on depression in Korean men after a stroke

BackgroundPost-stroke depression has negative impacts on rehabilitation. The physical deficits following stroke have been well studied, but there is little information on sexual behavior, mastery, and depression in stroke patients.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of sexual frequency and the sense of control on depression in Korean men after stroke.MethodThe sample for this study was a convenience sample of 67 Korean men after stroke visiting the convalescent center for disabled people in Seoul, Korea. Participants completed a Sexual Frequency scale, the mastery scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) test.ResultsSeventy-eight percent of the subjects were depressed. Sense of control and sexual frequency contributed to depression. Scores on sense of control and sexual frequency accounted for 39.5% of the variance in the depression score.ConclusionsResults indicate that an intervention for depression management after stroke should take into account sexual relationships with their partners and a sense of control.