Cluster Analysis Method Reveals Gender Attitudes in Sociosexual Orientation of a Southern Italy Population During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Introduction The COVID-19 epidemic and its lockdown dramatically impacted the general well-being of the population and affected sociosexual experiences, thus modifying sexual behavior, desire, and well-being. Clustering analysis has not yet been applied to research and data investigating sociosexuality. The cluster analysis method could be a valid support for clinicians in investigating the condition of a population with respect to problems related to sociosexuality. The aim of the present study was to analyze the different perceptions of the sociosexual experiences in southern population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We enrolled 734 (450 female) participants with a carried out anonymous web-based survey from the 16th of April 2020 to the 3rd June of 2020. The revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R) is a self-report test assessing three theoretically meaningful facets of sociosexual orientation (behavior, attitude, and desire). Results We found eleven clusters, and the findings showed, for the first time, an intra- and inter-diagnostic heterogeneity in the sexual profile of participants. Theoretically, we identified subtype clusters whose sexual attitude was to avoid sexual promiscuity with significant gender differences. Women show a greater propensity for attitude and desire facet than men. Conclusions Our new method of unsupervised learning could represent a reliable tool to support socio-cultural analysis studies on issues influenced by cultural mechanisms in a quick and explanatory way, as in the case of sexual orientation and attitude differences between men and women. Social and Policy Implications Understanding these gaps is fundamental for policy makers, managers of social networks, those who deal with engaged couples and families, and sexuality starting from the very youngest adolescents. We claim to devise a strategy to measure how much a sexist culture implicitly and explicitly limits the freedom of sexual expression and how this can affect psycho-sexual well-being in a society. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13178-022-00771-2.

The role of the behavioral immune system in the expression of short and long-term orientation in young Chilean men during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This trend was more pronounced in women. Additionally, a decrease in the number of sexual partners in the last 12 months was reported, which can be attributed to the periods of strict con nement experienced in the country, which reduced the chances of nding partners (22) but also the activation of the behavioral immune system may contribute to this reported decrease in the number of sexual partners. Furthermore, a study conducted by (23) in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria found a reduction in sexual activity among both single and partnered individuals of both sexes, including activities like masturbation.…”