Changes in Sexual Desire and Behaviors among UK Young Adults During Social Lockdown Due to COVID-19

Abstract

This study examined self-reported changes in young adults' sexual desire and behaviors during the most significant social restrictions imposed to deal with COVID-19. Drawing on a survey of 565 British adults aged 18-32 collected at the peak of social lockdown restrictions, we document an overall decrease in sexual behaviors consistent with abiding by social restrictions. We found that the levels of sexual desire reported by women (but not men) decreased compared with reports of pre-lockdown levels. Participants in serious relationships reported more increases in sexual activity than people who were single or dating casually, and there were significant differences according to gender and sexual orientation. The perceived impact of subjective wellbeing of people with high sociosexuality scores was disproportionately associated with social lockdown but there was no effect for general health. Thus, the impact on sexuality and general wellbeing should be considered by policymakers when considering future social restrictions related to COVID-19 or other public health emergencies.

Exploring Sexting and Online Sexual Victimization during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

“…Our data empirically supports a positive relationship between sexting and opportunity. Similarly to previous literature, our results showed that there is an association between living alone and sexting engagement and that those who lived with a third party (friends, parents, partner) sexted less than those who lived by themselves, which is in line with other research [ 13 , 23 ]. The presence of the so-called capable guardians might discourage engagement in sexually-related activities, such as voluntary sexting, and might also discourage the perpetration of OSV [ 24 ].…”

“…It has also been reported that an increase in the frequency of internet use is strongly correlated with an increase in sexting engagement [ 11 ]. Furthermore, during the pandemic, sex with people outside the household posed a significant risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, so interpersonal sexual contact at a distance could be solved by technology-mediated sexual interactions [ 12 , 13 ]. In line with these findings, Ballester–Arnal et al reported that almost 50% of their adult Spanish sample increased their online sexual activities during the COVID-19 lockdown [ 14 ].…”

Changes in Sexual Fantasy and Solitary Sexual Practice During Social Lockdown Among Young Adults in the UK

“… 26 , 27 Data were from 565 participants drawn from an anonymous, cross-sectional survey conducted to explore sexual health and wellbeing during social lockdown. 28 On average, participants were in their twenties ( = 25.41, SD = 4.15) who did not tend to self-isolate (69% no, 31% yes) and were not working as essential workers (78.6% no, 21.4% yes) at the time of data collection. Participants rated their perceived global health status on a scale of 1 ( poor ) to 5 ( excellent ), reporting above-average health ( M = 3.52, SD = 0.91).…”

Tracking changes in touch desire and touch avoidance before and after the COVID-19 outbreak

“…The reason for the decrease in breasts and buttocks as targets of touch desire and touch awareness is unclear but it might be related to a decrease in sex drive. Recent studies have shown that women in the UK and men in Italy have a tendency for low libido during the lockdown and quarantine, respectively 24,25 . In fact, the number of acts of sexual intercourse has decreased during quarantine in Italy 25 .…”