Sociosexual domains as mediators of the relationship between trait depression and sexual risk: A serial mediation analysis in a sample of Iranian American adults

Background: The current study examined sociosexual attitudes and desires as mediators of the relationship between trait depression and sexual risk behaviors (SRB). Method: Iranian Americans (n = 152) were recruited and path analyses tested a serial mediation model including the direct and indirect effects of trait depression levels on SRB. Results: Trait depression had a significant, indirect effect on SRB through sociosexual attitudes and desires scores, with an indirect effect estimate -.02, SE = 0.01, 95% CI [-0.05, -0.04]. Limitations: Study limitations included the use of self-report measures and the lack of longitudinal data. Conclusions: Increased levels of trait depression were associated with more unrestricted sociosexual attitudes and desires which, in turn, led to greater levels of sexual risk behaviors. The study findings can serve to inform sexual health interventions for Iranian American adults.