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.

摘要

这项研究检查了自我报告的年轻人在应对 COVID-19 的最重大社会限制期间性欲和行为的变化。根据在社会封锁限制高峰期收集的 565 名 18-32 岁英国成年人的调查，我们记录了与遵守社会限制一致的性行为总体减少。我们发现，与封锁前的报告水平相比，女性（而非男性）报告的性欲水平有所下降。与单身或随便约会的人相比，认真关系的参与者报告的性活动增加更多，并且根据性别和性取向存在显着差异。社会性别得分高的人主观幸福感的感知影响与社会封锁不成比例地相关，但对整体健康没有影响。因此，决策者在考虑与 COVID-19 或其他公共卫生紧急情况相关的未来社会限制时，应考虑对性行为和总体福祉的影响。