ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented stressors for college students, and minority stress faced by LGBTQ + college students has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Associations between stress and sexual desire are complex, but research suggests that stress may be associated with higher solitary sexual desire and lower dyadic sexual desire. The current study examined associations between sexual desire and a multidimensional measure of pandemic stress among LGBTQ + and cisgender, heterosexual (cis-het) college students. Participants (N = 377, 57% LGBTQ+) completed an online survey during the Spring 2021 semester that included the Sexual Desire Inventory and a multidimensional COVID Stress Measure. LGBTQ + students reported higher stress in multiple domains-isolation, academics, living situation, concerns about racism and prejudice, and health care access-relative to cis-het students. For LGBTQ + and cis-het students, higher overall COVID stress, as well as higher stress related specifically to isolation and to the virus itself, were associated with higher solitary and dyadic sexual desire. Greater concern about racism and prejudice during the pandemic was associated with higher solitary sexual desire, especially for LGBTQ+ students. Our findings underscore the importance of sexuality as a means of seeking connection during an event that disrupted college students' lives in many ways. We highlight implications for university professionals, particularly the need to support LGBTQ +-affirming organizations, mental health resources, and sexual health resources as students return to college campuses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This study indicates that LGBTQ + college students experienced higher stress than their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that higher stress was associated with higher sexual desire among LGBTQ + and cisgender, heterosexual college students. Results point to the importance of providing LGBTQ +-affirming mental and sexual health resources as students return to college campuses in the aftermath of the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)