New research shows how the pandemic has reshaped sexual behavior in the US, with significant declines in number of partners and sexual frequency, especially for non-married women.
Study: Changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the General Social Survey. Image courtesy: Cagcan Sein / Shutterstock
In a study published recently International Journal on Impotence ResearchA group of researchers assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on sexual behavior and partner dynamics in the United States (US) using data from the General Social Survey (GSS).
background
With nearly 800 million cases worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge changes in interpersonal dynamics, including disruptions in personal relationships due to social distancing, quarantine measures, and fear of infection. In the US, both marriage and birth rates declined during this period, indicating significant impacts on romantic relationships and sexual behavior. These changes included changes in dating, marital practices, sexual partners, and frequency of sexual encounters. Interestingly, similar behavioral changes were observed during previous pandemics, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) crisis. More research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the pandemic on sexual behavior and relationships.
About the study
The GSS was used to collect data related to sexual behavior and habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The GSS, conducted every two years since 1972, is a series of national cross-sectional surveys administered to adult men and women in the United States by the National Opinion Research Council (NORC). Using interviews, it collects demographic information and monitors social trends in public opinions, attitudes, and behavior. The GSS sample is obtained through random area probability selection, and participation is voluntary. This study was exempt from Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, as the GSS data include only de-identified information.
Data were examined from the GSS cumulative dataset, which included responses from 12,791 individuals in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022. The data was categorized into groups of pre-COVID-19 (2016 and 2018, n = 5215 respondents) and COVID-19 (2021 and 2022, n = 7576 respondents). The 2020 GSS was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic and was adapted to include a web-based questionnaire for safety. The researchers selected 38 variables related to sexual behavior, including frequency of sexual encounters and number of sexual partners.
Statistical analyses were performed using Stata/SE 18.0, including post-stratification weighting to account for potential sampling bias and confounding factors such as education, employment status, and sexual orientation. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests and continuous variables with unpaired Student's t-tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.
Study Results
The mean age of study respondents was 47.4 years, with a standard deviation of ±17.8 years, and there was no significant difference between the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 groups (p = 0.59). Most respondents identified themselves as white (74.2%) and heterosexual/straight (92.9%). During COVID-19, respondents were more likely to be married and hold a bachelor's or master's degree. A large portion of 2022 survey participants (81.5%) reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
The study revealed significant changes in sexual behaviour during the pandemic. The percentage of respondents reporting more than one sexual partner in the past year decreased significantly from 13.8% before the pandemic to 9.8% during the pandemic (p = 0.002). Similarly, the frequency of sexual activity also showed a significant decline. The number of respondents reporting sexual activity at least once a month decreased from 63.9% before the pandemic to 58.9% during the pandemic (p = 0.02), while those engaging in sexual activity at least once a week decreased from 35.8% to 30.6% (p = 0.001). These changes reflect not only a reduction in social interactions but also an increased caution about physical proximity.
Further analysis of male respondents showed that men had fewer sexual partners during the pandemic. The percentage of men who had more than one sexual partner in the past year decreased from 18.6% before the pandemic to 11.7% during the pandemic (p < 0.001). This trend was observed among both married and unmarried men. However, there was no significant change in the frequency of sexual encounters among men, suggesting that men maintained sexual activity but were more likely to engage with a single partner.
In contrast, women experienced significant declines in both the frequency of sexual encounters and the number of sexual partners during the pandemic. The percentage of women reporting having sex at least once a week fell from 34.8% to 28.1% (P < 0.001), and the percentage of women reporting having sex at least once a month fell from 61.5% to 54.3% (P < 0.001). Among non-married women, the decrease was even more pronounced. The percentage of non-married women reporting having sex at least once a week fell from 49.2% to 40.5% (P = 0.006), and the percentage of women reporting at least one sexual partner in the past year fell from 58.7% to 50.8% (P = 0.01).
conclusion
In summary, this study reveals significant differences in sexual behaviour during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic patterns, specifically a reduction in sexual partners for men and women and a decrease in sexual frequency among women, particularly unmarried women. These changes were likely caused by fewer social contacts and increased caution. Gender differences were observed, with men maintaining frequency but having sex with fewer partners, suggesting different social and psychological impacts of the pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of continued research on the long-term effects of the pandemic on sexual behaviour.