Internet Addiction and Polish Women’s Sexual Functioning: The Role of Social Media, Online Pornography, and Game Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Online Surveys Based on FSFI and BSMAS Questionnaires

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the relationship between social media use and women’s sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected between April and November 2021. Online surveys including the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) questionnaires were distributed to young, sexually active women. Information was collected on their demographics, sexual life, and use of social media. We enrolled 546 women (mean age 23.07 ± 4.69). In general, 5.68% of the women were at high risk of social media addiction. Social media addiction had a negative impact on FSFI scores, while pornography use had a positive effect on women’s sexual functioning. Users of dating apps also obtained lower FSFI scores than non-users. No differences in FSFI scores were observed between gamers and non-gamers. The impact of time spent on social media on FSFI scores was not significant. We conclude that social media addiction negatively affected women’s sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social media addiction is associated with sexual dissatisfaction: a cross-sectional study with quota sampling in Portugal

“…In line with previous studies [16][17][18][19] , it was confirmed that greater social media addiction is associated with greater sexual dissatisfaction in men and women in a large and demographically diversified sample. Further, it was confirmed that this association is mediated by relationship dissatisfaction and mental health dissatisfaction, which corroborates the possibility that social media addiction has detrimental effects on sexual function by means of detrimental effects on mental health [1][2][3][4][5] or on intimate relationship quality 8-15 .…”

“…Lower intimacy and lower perceived social support at baseline partially mediated these longitudinal associations 17 . The association between female sexual difficulties and social media addiction was further confirmed by a Polish study 18 , and among Lebanese university students, social media addiction was found to correlate with lower sexual desire and arousal with perceived loneliness partially mediating the association with arousal, but not with desire 19 . These studies corroborate the view that social media addiction is associated with poorer sexual function secondary to mental health and relationship disturbances secondary to the overuse of social media.…”

“…These studies corroborate the view that social media addiction is associated with poorer sexual function secondary to mental health and relationship disturbances secondary to the overuse of social media. Yet, the studies to support this notion are few and have limited sample characteristics: one was conducted with Iranian married women 17 , and the three others included mostly young people 16,18,19 . Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the association between social media addiction and sexual dissatisfaction in a large, demographically diverse sample, and to explore to what extent this association is mediated by dissatisfaction with partner and mental health.…”

ASSESSING THE ROLE OF TEACHERS & PARENTS IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIES AGAINST SOCIAL MEDIA MISUSE AMONG STUDENTS

“…Sexually explicit conversations, photos, and videos are captured and sent through mobile phones, computers, and other digital devices. These social media platforms are being abused by users who publish naked/half-naked video clips and photographs (Pawlikowska et al, 2022;Webb, Craissati, & Keen, 2007). Sometimes people post videos, images, and other private content on social networking sites without fully comprehending security dangers.…”

Association between problematic Internet use and specific Internet activities and COVID-19- and earthquake-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among Croatian young adults

“…Due to the significantly increased use of social networks, adverse psychological and behavioral effects may occur ( 25 ). For example, social media addiction negatively affected Polish women’s (mean age 23.07 ± 4.69) sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 44 ). One systematic review and meta-analysis found negative relationship between mobile phone addiction and physical activity among young adults ( 45 ).…”