COVID-19 and the Changes in the Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results of an Online Survey

Shilo, Guy; Mor, Zohar

doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.07.085

Cited by 97 publications

(131 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Although MWPWS regularly risk their health when paying for sex to a certain extent (Jones et al, 2015 ), the fear of contracting STD was hardly discussed in the pre-CP original interviews. However, perhaps the unknown nature of COVID-19 makes it appear more threatening than other sexually transmitted diseases (Shilo & Mor, 2020 ), as one participant stated: “Almost every STD has a cure. There are no guarantees [when you pay for sex], but you tell yourself ‘At least I know that if something happens, it can be treated’” (Oron).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, in a similar survey conducted in Italy, over 40% of the participants self-reported increased sexual desires during quarantine (Cocci et al, 2020 ). Moreover, in a recent study on the sexual behavior of Israeli men who have sex with men during CP, participants reported limiting their sexual repertoire—in particular, by avoiding kissing—and reducing their involvement in SFP (as sellers and as buyers) (Shilo & Mor, 2020 ). These findings suggest that CP may have different impacts on people’s sexual desires and sexual activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Paying for Sex During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Israeli Men

Prior

2021

Sex Res Soc Policy

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Introduction This qualitative study explored the experiences of men who pay women for sex (MWPWS) during the COVID-19 pandemic, which poses radical and profound challenges to various aspects of people's intimate, sexual, and financial experiences. Methods The study was based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 Israeli MWPWS who regularly visit various prostitution venues. The interviews were conducted between April and July 2020, between the first and the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. ResultsThe findings focus on four major aspects of the participants' experiences: the participants' inability to pay for sex, the difficulties imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic to participants' sex-for-pay experiences, the positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their sex-for-pay experiences, and the insignificance of COVID-19 pandemic to their sex-for-pay experiences. Conclusions I conclude that COVID-19 pandemic triggers various sexual, emotional, and gendered experiences for MWPWS. Accordingly, MWPWS may reevaluate their engagement in sex-for-pay, and their experiences of it may be reshaped in light of the pandemic. I discuss the findings' contribution to sexuality and masculinity studies, and the methodological possibilities that they raise for qualitative scholars studying social phenomena during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy Implications The study highlights the significance of developing ad hoc prostitution policy that supports the individuals involved in the sex industry-both MWPWS and the women who are paid for sex-during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it suggests that prostitution policy should address the diverse experiences of MWPWS, beyond viewing them as merely offenders who should be punished, or re-educated.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paying for Sex During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Israeli Men

Prior

2021

Sex Res Soc Policy

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“…theme. Indeed, given social isolation, individuals are expected to consume more pornography or increase sexual outlets as means to cope with dysfunctional mood states10 .Clinicians' perspectives on the effects of COVID-19 in sexual health are in line with current assumptions supporting that sexual compulsivity-like conditions may be aggravated byJ o u r n a l P r e -p r o o fCovid-19 and sexual health increased consumption of pornography and dating apps during the context of social isolation33,34 . Additionally, clinicians' appraisals of the overlapping between mental health issues and sexual problems stress the need to consider sexual complaints as part of the large spectrum of psychopathology conditions.…”

mentioning

confidence: 78%

The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health: A Preliminary Framework Based on a Qualitative Study With Clinical Sexologists

et al. 2020

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Introduction In recent months, some attempts were made to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Despite recent research that suggests COVID-19 and lockdown measures may eventually impact sexual response and sexually related behaviors, we are missing clinical sexologists’ perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 in sexual health. Such perspectives could inform a preliminary framework aimed at guiding future research and clinical approaches in the context of COVID-19. Aim To explore the perspectives of clinical sexologists about the impact of COVID-19 on their patients’ sexual health, as well as the professional challenges they have faced during the current pandemic. Findings are expected to inform a preliminary framework aimed at understanding the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Methods We conducted an online qualitative exploratory survey with 4 open-ended questions with 39 clinical sexologists aged between 32 and 73 years old. The survey was advertised among professional associations’ newsletters. We performed a Thematic Analysis using an inductive, semantic, and (critical) realist approach, leading to a final thematic map. Main Outcome Measures The outcome is the thematic map and the corresponding table that aggregates the main themes, subthemes, and codes derived from participants’ answers and that can serve as a preliminary framework to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Results The final thematic map, expected to serve as a preliminary framework on the impact of COVID-19 in sexual health, revealed 3 main themes: Clinical Focus, Remapping Relationships, and Reframing Technology Use. These themes aggregate important interrelated issues, such as worsening of sexual problems and dysfunctions, mental health, relationship management, the rise of conservatism, and the use of new technology that influences sexuality and sexual health-related services. Conclusion The current study allowed us to develop a preliminary framework to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. This framework highlights the role of mental health, as well as the contextual nature of sexual problems, and subsequently, their relational nature. Also, it demonstrates that the current pandemic has brought into light the debate of e-Health delivery within clinical sexology.

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“…During the social-distancing period, they were more likely to use condoms or PREP during casual sexual intercourse than in pre-pandemic times. Since the imposition of social distancing rules, participants have met sexual partners mainly through online dating applications and social media and have increased their use of sex phone, webcams, and porn as compared to the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak ( Shilo and Mor, 2020 ).…”

Section: Youths Minorities and Sexual Health: The Use Of The Internementioning

confidence: 99%