Mating in Captivity: The Influence of Social Location on Sexual Satisfaction through Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The recent global pandemic provides a natural experiment "intervention" to examine how differing baseline social dynamics such as gender, education, and politics shaped diverging patterns of well-being during rapidly shifting societal conditions. Using married adults from a nationally representative panel study in the United States from August 2019 to August 2021, discontinuous growth curves reveal a large drop in average married sexual satisfaction in both quality and frequency directly following the pandemic onset. Moreover, sexual satisfaction remained largely suppressed for the subsequent 18 months, apart from a brief "optimism blip" in the fall of 2020. Race, age, income, employment, parenthood, education, and political affiliation all appear as meaningful predictors, but these differ across various phases of the pandemic and by gender. These results reveal evidence of lingering changes in subjective sexual well-being as well as patterns of catastrophe risk and resilience moderated by social location factors.

Evaluation of sexual function and sexual quality of life in women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: the Turkish case

Background: Sexual health is an important component of general health. Objective(s): To evaluate sexual function and sexual quality of life (SQOL) in women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. Data were collected via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. Result(s): The mean FSFI score was 26.91+/-5.62, and 39.1% of the women had an FSFI score of 26.55 or lower. The mean SQOL-F score was 79.08+/-20.90. FSFI score was significantly associated with employment status (beta=-0.661), partner education (beta=1.698), sexual compatibility between partners (beta=0.518), sexual satisfaction (beta=0.230), fatigue level (beta=-0.120), and frequen-cy of sexual intercourse (beta=0.160). In addition, SQOL-F score was significantly associated with sexual desire (beta=2.625), satisfaction (beta=1.338), pain or discomfort (beta=1.274), age (beta=-0.356), sexual compatibility between partners (beta=1.984), and fatigue level (beta=-0.981) (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): Less than half of the women participating in this study had sexual dysfunction, and overall SQOL was moderate to high. These results were associated with some descriptive characteristics of the women and were similar to those reported in pre-pandemic studies conducted in Turkey.Copyright © The Authors.

Changes in couples sexual behavior during the lockdown due to COVID-19 in Puerto Rico

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought adverse consequences in several areas of a person's functioning, including economic, work, family, and academic. One area that has been little investigated in Puerto Rico is the effect of confinement on couples' sexual behavior. The objectives of the present study were: (1) analyze whether there are statistically significant differences between the sexual satisfaction of the participants before and during quarantine;(2) examine whether there have been significant changes in the quality of intimate relationships during the quarantine;and (3) evaluate whether anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety significantly predict participants' sexual satisfaction during quarantine. The sample consisted of 392 adults, primarily women (87.5%). The main results reflected a decrease in the quality of the couple's relationship and sexual satisfaction during the quarantine. In addition, the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and sexual satisfaction during quarantine was low and negative. Although some differences turned out to be statistically significant, a look at these differences highlights that the differences were minimal at a practical and clinical level. Recommendations and practical implications are discussed from a clinical and counseling angle. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) La pandemia por coronavirus (COVID-19) trajo secuelas adversas en varias areas del funcionamiento de las personas, entre ellas economicas, laborales, familiares y academicas. Un area que no se ha investigado en Puerto Rico es el efecto de los encierros en la conducta sexual de las parejas. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: (1) analizar si existen diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre la satisfaccion sexual de las personas participantes antes y durante la cuarentena;(2) examinar si se han producido cambios significativos en la calidad de las relaciones de pareja durante la cuarentena;y (3) evaluar si la ansiedad y la ansiedad por COVID-19 predicen la satisfaccion sexual de las personas participantes durante la cuarentena. La muestra consistio de 392 personas adultas en su mayoria mujeres (87.5%). Los resultados reflejaron una disminucion en la calidad de la relacion de pareja y en la satisfaccion sexual durante la cuarentena. La relacion entre ansiedad por COVID-19 y satisfaccion sexual durante la cuarentena fue significativa, baja y negativa. A pesar que algunas diferencias resultaron ser estadisticamente significativas, una mirada a dichas diferencias resalta que a nivel practico y clinico las diferencias fueron minimas. Se discuten recomendaciones e implicaciones para la clinica y consejeria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

When the Pandemic Changed the Rhythm of Sexual Life: The Role of Fear, Defense Mechanisms, and Perceived Stress in Sexual Activity after the Lockdown

Introduction: The pandemic has significantly altered people's life rhythms, affecting both their mental framework and their relational sphere. The perception of virus-related risks has generated strong feelings of fear and anxiety that have activated defense mechanisms aimed at managing the high levels of perceived stress. This greatly affected people's levels of well-being and life satisfaction. One of the areas involved in relation to well-being was sexuality. Much research has been concerned with monitoring well-being with respect to sexual distress, coping strategies, and mood states;however, little research has been concerned with providing an explanatory model of the psychological and contextual dynamics that influenced both sexual satisfaction and sexual conduct during this period. Our aim is to provide a model that sheds light on the dynamics related to sexual satisfaction and sexual behavior during the pandemic, considering the role of risk perception, fear of covid.19, levels of coping mechanisms, and perceived stress. Method(s): From the end of May to the end of September 2020, we administered a battery of questionnaires and self-reports (Semantic differential, MAC-RF, DSQ-40, PPS, SSS-W/M, BISF-item7) through various social networks to a sample of 636 subjects (461 F;171M) with a mean age of 26.7 years (SD 8.1). Data analysis was carried out using the macro Process 3.0 (Mod. 6) of SPSS V.24., It was intended to test a multiple sequential mediation model in which different perceptions of risk influence both people's sexual activity and sexual satisfaction through the mediation of fear, defense mechanisms, and perceived stress. Result(s): The results of sequential multiple mediation show the absence of a direct influence between the different risk perceptions related to covid.19 (exposure, knowledge, and death) on sexual satisfaction, however, this influence is affected by the mediation of fear of covid.19 (M1), defense mechanisms (mature, neurotic, and immature) (M2), and perceived stress (M3). Regarding sexual activity, similar to previous results, only perceptions related to exposure to risk and death have an indirect influence on the frequency of different sexual practices. Conclusion(s): The data show that perceptions related to feeling exposed to risk, knowledge of risk, and the risk of deadly consequences of Sars-Covid 19 infection fuel various fears interconnected with the virus, such as fear for one's own body and for others;such negative emotion overload activated defense mechanisms that increased perceptions of stress in relation to the current living situation, affecting both the degree of sexual satisfaction and the frequency of sexual activity of cohabiting and noncohabiting couples. The implications of these findings are both clinical and research. First, we know how sexuality is an important dimension of a couple's affective life that, when compromised by excessive stress load, can negatively affect couple homeostasis, generating, where elements of resilience are lacking, the exacerbation of conflict, dissatisfaction, online infidelity, and negative feelings toward self and partner. This situation, embodied in the post-pandemic in couple crises and an increase in requests for couple therapy and relationship separations and breakups, poses the challenge to reflect and concretize interventions aimed at supporting the couple's needs to increase relationship security, to model and test specific helping actions in eventual, hopefully distant, critical events such as the pandemic.

Distress and satisfaction in women whose male partners use pornography: The roles of attitude, religiosity, and meanings

Approximately 40% of U.S. women in married or cohabitating heterosexual relationships have a partner who uses pornography more than once a month. Some studies demonstrate a negative association between the frequency of male partners' pornography use (PU) and women's sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction, while others find no association. These mixed findings may be due to moderating influences of women's religiosity, attitudes, and diverse meanings given to PU (e.g. addiction, gendered norm, inspiration), which have not been adequately studied.The current study included a sample of 625 women (mean age=44, diverse SES, 86% White), recruited through a Qualtrics research panel, who were married or cohabitating with a man who had used pornography in the prior 3 months. Study aims were to investigate (1) pornography-related distress, attitudes and meanings given to a partner's PU, (2) the relationship between perceived frequency of partners' solitary PU (PFREQ) and women's pornography-related distress, relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction, (3) contributions of attitude and religiosity (commitment and conservatism) to distress and satisfaction, and (4) associations among attitudes, religiosity and meanings, and among meanings, distress and satisfaction. Self-report measures included the Partner's Pornography Use Scale, Pornography Distress Scale, Couples Satisfaction Index, Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, Multidimensional Religious Ideology Scale, Religious Commitment Inventory, Biblical Literalism Measure, Pornography Meaning Scales, and an item measuring attitudes towards pornography. Participants endorsed a range of PFREQ (median frequency=1-2 times/week) and attitudes (28% negative, 34% neutral, 38% positive). Partial correlations and multiple regressions, controlling for demographic variables and COVID-19-related stress, indicated that higher PFREQ was significantly associated with women's higher pornography-related distress, lower relationship satisfaction, and lower sexual satisfaction. Attitude and PFREQ made independent contributions to distress and satisfaction. Negative attitude amplified the negative association between PFREQ and relationship satisfaction, and religious conservatism amplified the positive association between PFREQ and pornography-related distress. Findings support and extend previous research regarding the associations of higher PFREQ and negative attitude with greater distress and lower relationship and sexual satisfaction, the contribution of religiosity to greater distress, and the role of meanings of infidelity, sin, addiction and inadequacy in predicting greater distress and lower satisfaction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The level of sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction during second the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has unquestionably changed the lives of Polish people, creating anxiety and uncertainty. Life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction are subjective evaluations of life and the sexual sphere. Previous research indicates a relationship between sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction. AIM: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate what level of sexual satisfaction was present during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account gender, sexual orientation, and relational status, and to examine the relationship between sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 440 participants, aged between 18 and 40 (M = 24.31, SD = 4.90). The study was conducted online. The Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire developed by Dolinskia-Zygmunt and Nomejko was used to measure sexual satisfaction, while the Satisfaction with Life Scale developed by Diner et al. was used to measure subjective aspect of life satisfaction. RESULTS: Most of the respondents are satisfied with their life (33%) and sexual sphere (42%). Relationship status is important for the sense of both sexual and life satisfaction, while gender and sexual identity were not associated with any other variable. There is a positive correlation between life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction (r = 0.438, p <0.001). Regression analysis showed that significant predictors of life satisfaction are: sexual satisfaction (p <0.001) and relationship status. (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents self-rated their life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction highly, although being single can lower both types of satisfaction.

Sexual and reproductive health in Britain during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional population survey (Natsal-COVID-Wave 2) and national surveillance data.

OBJECTIVES: To assess sexual behaviour, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, after 1 year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Britain. METHODS: 6658 participants aged 18-59 and resident in Britain completed a cross-sectional web-panel survey (Natsal-COVID-Wave 2, March-April 2021), 1 year after the first lockdown. Natsal-COVID-2 follows the Natsal-COVID-Wave 1 survey (July-August 2020) which captured impacts in the initial months. Quota-based sampling and weighting resulted in a quasi-representative population sample. Data were contextualised with reference to the most recent probability sample population data (Natsal-3; collected 2010-12; 15 162 participants aged 16-74) and national surveillance data on recorded sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, conceptions, and abortions in England/Wales (2010-2020). The main outcomes were: sexual behaviour; SRH service use; pregnancy, abortion and fertility management; sexual dissatisfaction, distress and difficulties. RESULTS: In the year from the first lockdown, over two-thirds of participants reported one or more sexual partners (women 71.8%; men 69.9%), while fewer than 20.0% reported a new partner (women 10.4%; men 16.8%). Median occasions of sex per month was two. Compared with 2010-12 (Natsal-3), we found less sexual risk behaviour (lower reporting of multiple partners, new partners, and new condomless partners), including among younger participants and those reporting same-sex behaviour. One in 10 women reported a pregnancy; pregnancies were fewer than in 2010-12 and less likely to be scored as unplanned. 19.3% of women and 22.8% of men were distressed or worried about their sex life, significantly more than in 2010-12. Compared with surveillance trends from 2010 to 2019, we found lower than expected use of STI-related services and HIV testing, lower levels of chlamydia testing, and fewer conceptions and abortions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with significant changes in sexual behaviour, SRH, and service uptake in the year following the first lockdown in Britain. These data are foundational to SRH recovery and policy planning.

The role of sexting in couple wellbeing for Italian women during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the sexuality and quality of life of people around the world. A particularly negative effect was detected on women's sexual health. As a consequence, many women began to use social media not only to stay in touch with their social networks, but as a way of maintaining sexual contact. The main aim of this research is to observe the positive effects of sexting in women's wellbeing as a strategy to manage the negative effects of a condition of forced isolation. We collected all our data between November 2020 and March 2021 during a period of strict restrictions in Italy due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1, the relationship between loneliness, sexting behaviors, and sexual satisfaction was tested on 312 adult women. The results showed the mediator role of motivation for sexting in the relationship between loneliness and sexual satisfaction. In Study 2, 342 adult women were organized into two groups (women who had sexting at least once during the second wave of the pandemic = 203, and women who did not have sexting during the pandemic = 139) and were assessed on a couple's wellbeing (intimacy, passion, commitment, and couple satisfaction) and electronic surveillance. The results show that women who had sexting during isolation had higher scores on intimacy, passion, couple satisfaction, and electronic surveillance. These findings suggest the important role of sexting as an adaptive coping strategy during particular conditions of social isolation.

Initial Impacts of COVID-19 on Sex Life and Relationship Quality in Steady Relationships in Britain: Findings from a Large, Quasi-representative Survey (Natsal-COVID).

Intimate relationships are ubiquitous and exert a strong influence on health. Widespread disruption to them may impact wellbeing at a population level. We investigated the extent to which the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 2020) affected steady relationships in Britain. In total, 6,654 participants aged 18-59 years completed a web-panel survey (July-August 2020). Quasi-representativeness was achieved via quota sampling and weighting. We explored changes in sex life and relationship quality among participants in steady relationships (n = 4,271) by age, gender, and cohabitation status, and examined factors associated with deterioration to a lower-quality relationship. A total of 64.2% of participants were in a steady relationship (of whom 88.9% were cohabiting). A total of 22.1% perceived no change in their sex-life quality, and 59.5% no change in their relationship quality. Among those perceiving change, sex-life quality was more commonly reported to decrease and relationship quality to improve. There was significant variation by age; less often by gender or cohabitation. Overall, 10.6% reported sexual difficulties that started/worsened during lockdown. In total, 6.9% reported deterioration to a "lower quality" relationship, more commonly those: aged 18-24 and aged 35-44; not living with partner (women only); and reporting depression/anxiety and decrease in sex-life quality. In conclusion, intimate relationship quality is yet another way in which COVID-19 has led to divergence in experience.

Aspects of sexual life that are associated with the occurrence of depressive disorders and autonomic dysfunction among medical students of National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya

Depressive disorders are widespread nowadays. First of all, this was affected by social isolation related to covid-19, and starting from 2022 – the war in our country. Depression and sexual life are connected and important, because a person with a depressive disorder cannot fully live a social and sexual life. As a result, the birth rate in the country and the population in general decreases. Therefore, the issue of studying the occurrence of depressive disorders in young sexually active and inactive people is extremely relevant. The aim. The main objective of this work was to explore the different areas of sexual life of residents and its association with mental health. Additionally, differences in sexual life and mental health (depression) based on gender were also analyzed. Materials and methods. An anonymous survey of 506 medical students of NPMMU, V has been conducted using a questionnaire that included 25 questions on various aspects of the sexual life of the respondents. The analysis of the obtained results of the study was carried out on the basis of the computer programme “Statistica 6.1” using nonparametric methods to evaluate obtained results. The results. We found a statistically significant association between sexual activity and condition of mental health. Results regarding young adults, presented lower levels of sexual satisfaction and greater depression, whereas young women also exhibited higher levels of depression. Conclusions. Sexual life has a positive effect on the mental and psychological health of respondents. This information should be conveyed to young people.

Changes in couples sexual behavior during the lockdown due to COVID-19 in Puerto Rico

(Spanish) La pandemia por coronavirus (COVID-19) trajo secuelas adversas en varias areas del funcionamiento de las personas, entre ellas economicas, laborales, familiares y academicas. Un area que no se ha investigado en Puerto Rico es el efecto de los encierros en la conducta sexual de las parejas. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: (1) analizar si existen diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre la satisfaccion sexual de las personas participantes antes y durante la cuarentena;(2) examinar si se han producido cambios significativos en la calidad de las relaciones de pareja durante la cuarentena;y (3) evaluar si la ansiedad y la ansiedad por COVID-19 predicen la satisfaccion sexual de las personas participantes durante la cuarentena. La muestra consistio de 392 personas adultas en su mayoria mujeres (87.5%). Los resultados reflejaron una disminucion en la calidad de la relacion de pareja y en la satisfaccion sexual durante la cuarentena. La relacion entre ansiedad por COVID-19 y satisfaccion sexual durante la cuarentena fue significativa, baja y negativa. A pesar que algunas diferencias resultaron ser estadisticamente significativas, una mirada a dichas diferencias resalta que a nivel practico y clinico las diferencias fueron minimas. Se discuten recomendaciones e implicaciones para la clinica y consejeria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

A prospective study of relationship and sexual satisfaction during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of dispositional vulnerabilities and external stressors.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on many aspects of life, particularly social relationships. Although there is some evidence regarding short-term effects of the pandemic on cohabitating couples or individuals, it is unclear to what extent these effects persist over time and whether they also apply to noncohabitating individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in relationship and sexual satisfaction among both cohabitating and noncohabitating individuals during the first year of the pandemic and to examine the extent to which these changes could be accounted for by personal vulnerabilities, pandemic-related stressors, and their interaction. METHOD: We assessed relationship and sexual satisfaction longitudinally with a cross-national sample (N = 2859) that included five prospective measurement time points and analyzed the data with multilevel models. RESULTS: We observed a decrease in relationship satisfaction over the course of the study, especially among noncohabitants. Sexual satisfaction, in turn, conformed to a quadratic trend among noncohabitants while changing only minimally in cohabitating individuals. Of the individual vulnerabilities examined, attachment avoidance was the greatest risk factor for both relationship and sexual satisfaction. Among pandemic-related stressors, mobility restrictions had a negative impact into the relationship and sexual satisfaction of noncohabitating individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pandemic generally showed negative effects on close relationships, these effects varied depending on the type of couple (cohabitants or noncohabitants), the component of relationship satisfaction (relationship satisfaction or sexual satisfaction), the time interval (curfew period or not), and also individual dispositions (especially attachment avoidance).

Differences in Important Components of Sexual Satisfaction as Identified and Experienced by Undergraduate Males and Females

Few studies explore the components of sexual satisfaction as specified by college students. This cross-sectional study examined sexual satisfaction at the event level for undergraduate students (n = 1,090), focusing on differences between males/females. Survey results revealed for both males and females, being comfortable with a partner, experiencing orgasm, and having a partner "with skills" predicted sexual satisfaction. Satisfied males reported feeling safe with their partners, spent time touching/kissing, and had "romantic" partners. Satisfied females had partners with previous sexual experience, whom they desired, and vice-versa. These findings can inform comprehensive sexuality education efforts to incorporate the teaching of satisfaction into sexual health.

Exploring the adult sexual wellbeing and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Implemented social distancing measures may have forestalled the spread of COVID-19, yet they suppressed the natural human need for contact. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adult sexual wellbeing and sexual behavior. An extensive search in Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted. After applying specific eligibility criteria, screening resulted in 38 studies. Results were drawn from 31,911 subjects and outlined the negative effect of the pandemic in sexual frequency, function, satisfaction, and the behavioral changes regarding masturbation and internet-based practices. Meta-analyses of the drawn data on 1,343 female, and 1,372 male subjects quantified the degree of sexual function change during the COVID-19 pandemic vs. prior the pandemic. A random effects model revealed the significant negative impact of the pandemic on female sexual function (SMD: 0.76, 95% CI:0.74 to 1.59), while no significant change was found for the males (SMD: 0.25, 95% Cl: -0.03 to 0.52). Significant heterogeneity was identified across included studies (p < 0.00001, I2 = 97%, I2 = 90% for females and males, respectively). As part of the global health, sexual wellbeing should be on the focus of clinicians and researchers.

Variable-centered and person-centered approaches to understanding a satisfying single life: A focus on singles' social lives

Despite the worldwide increase in the unpartnered population, little research has examined what factors contribute to a satisfying single life. This is an important gap in the literature as the degree to which one is satisfied with one's relationship status has been shown to be a more important determinant of well-being than relationship status per se. In the present research, I examined situational (Studies 1-3) and individual factors (Studies 4-6B) related to a satisfying single life, with a focus on single individuals' social experiences. In the first three studies (N = 3,890), I examined if and how having satisfying relationships with family and friends or having a satisfying sexual life is associated with single individuals' satisfaction with singlehood. Results showed that having satisfying friendships and a sexually satisfying life were both associated with single individuals' feelings of satisfaction about being single. In the next four studies (N = 3,195), I drew on the Fundamental Social Motives Framework to examine single individuals' motivations to pursue different types of social experiences in relation to satisfaction with singlehood. Across two Western samples (primarily European and American) and one Korean sample (collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021), I identified three different configurations of motives that exist within the single population. Importantly, the profile characterized by high independence motives in combination with low affiliation and mating motives seemed to be associated with greater satisfaction with singlehood compared to the profile characterized by strong interest in self-protection and social connections as well as the profile characterized by little interest in self-protection but moderate interest in affiliation. Despite considerable consistency, these profile features did not perfectly replicate in a smaller sample collected before the pandemic, highlighting the need to interpret the data with the historical background in mind. Overall, the present research provides novel evidence that maintaining satisfying friendships and sexual lives may contribute to a satisfying single life;at the same time, individuals oriented towards independence in the absence of strong interest in affiliation or romantic partnership may be prone to experiencing singlehood as more satisfying. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the International Sexual Health And REproductive (I-SHARE) health survey in Luxembourg.

AIM: To identify the impact of COVID-19 measures on sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction in Luxembourg residents. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of adults (> 18 years of age) residing in Luxembourg, while COVID-19 restrictions were in place. The survey was available from January 15 to February 12, 2021 in four languages (French, German, English and Portuguese). Survey questions focused on masturbation, cuddling, condom use, sex frequency, sexting, cybersex, watching porn, and sexual satisfaction. RESULTS: 557 volunteers completed the survey (35.5% men, 64.3% women). Sexual satisfaction and sexual problems variables were assessed on 4-point Likert scales (0 = not at all/never to 3 = very/often). Sexual problems increased during the COVID-19 measures while sexual satisfaction decreased compared to before the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions (assessed retrospectively). Factors associated with increased odds of sexual satisfaction included having a steady relationship before COVID-19 restrictions, engaging in sexting, reporting good mental health and not altering alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS: The context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented in Luxembourg affected sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction. Sexual and reproductive health care centers and health professionals in general should take these results into consideration when providing care. Recommendations on the importance of sexual health for general wellbeing and behaviors associated with sexual satisfaction should be offered and possibilities to experience sexuality while reducing contamination risks be discussed.

Is There a Direct Link between Sexual Satisfaction and Restrictions during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Background: Research suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions decreased sexual function and satisfaction. The present study examines the direct relationship between sexual satisfaction and restrictions during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Poland between 3 September 2020 and 18 January 2021. A convenience sample of 1364 adults, aged 18-67 (M = 25.13, SD = 6.45), among whom 62.39% were women, and 23.17% were single, completed anonymous web-based survey. The Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ) and Stringency Index (IS) were used to assess sexual satisfaction and the level of restrictions during the pandemic, respectively. Results: No direct association was found between sexual satisfaction and the level of restrictions during the lockdown. Sexual satisfaction was significantly worse among single participants than those living in a couple. No gender differences were found in sexual satisfaction. Conclusions: Future studies should examine an indirect association between sexual satisfaction and restrictions during the pandemic via stress and anxiety. Single relationship status should be considered a risk factor for sexual satisfaction, so single individuals should be a target group for prevention programs during the pandemic.

Predictors of sexual satisfaction during lockdown by COVID-19 in Spain

This research, which consists of two studies, has the general objective of analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the sexual health of 347 adults living in Spain. Study 1, focused on non-face-to-face sexual practices (sexting and pornography), revealed similar levels of sexual satisfaction in men and women, but with differences in age regarding interaction with the consumption of pornography and marital status. Study 2 focused on the changes produced with respect to the previous six months, indicating that the maintenance of sexual satisfaction does not depend on gender, but it does depend on age in interaction with face-to-face sex, marital status, and individual sex , in interaction with an adequate functioning of sexual interest. Given the challenge that this pandemic is posing, these results are useful for the mental and sexual health interventions that are currently being developed because of COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) Esta in vestigacion, formada por dos estudios, tiene como objetivo general analizar el impacto de la COVID-19 en la salud sexual de 347 adultos residentes en Espana. El estudio 1, centrado en practicas sexuales no presenciales (sexteo [sexting] y pornografia), puso de manifiesto niveles de satisfaccion sexual similares en hombres y mujeres, aunque diferentes segun la edad en interaccion con el consumo de pornografia y el estatus marital. El estudio 2 abordo los cambios producidos con respecto a los seis meses previos, indicando que el mantenimiento de la satisfaccion sexual no parece depender del sexo, pero si de la edad en interaccion con el sexo presencial, del estatus marital y del sexo individual en interaccion con un adecuado funcionamiento del interes sexual. Ante el desafio que esta suponiendo esta pandemia, estos resultados resultan de utilidad para las intervenciones en salud mental y sexual que actualmente se estan desarrollando a causa de la COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19 Quarantine Dramatically Affected Male Sexual Behavior: Is There a Possibility to Go Back to Normality?

We performed a monocentric longitudinal study on sexually active male patients, from May 2021 to October 2021, with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed with a nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The questionnaires were delivered by email. The study period was divided into the periods before getting tested (T1), during quarantine (T2), 1 month after a negative test (T3), and 3 months after a negative test (T4). All participants were invited to complete these questionnaires: 10- and 6-item questionnaires, a sexual distress schedule (SDS), and the international index of erectile function questionnaire of 15 items (IIEF-15). The primary endpoint was to evaluate the impact of quarantine on male sexual function (SF) during and after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 22 male patients met the inclusion criteria. The differences for both SDS and IIEF-15 scores, between T1-T2 (27 (IQR 24.0-32.2) vs. 37.5 (IQR 34.2-45.5), 45 (IQR 38.0-50.2) vs. 28.5 (IQR 19.5-38.0)), T2-T3 (37.5 (IQR 34.2-45.5) vs. 28 (IQR 24.0-31.0), and 28.5 (IQR 19.5-38.0) vs. 39.5 (IQR 35.5-44.2)) were statistically significant (p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, between T1-T4, no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was recorded in both SDS (27 (IQR 24.0-32.2) vs. 26.5 (IQR 24-30.2)) and IIEF-15 (45 (IQR 38.0-50.2) vs. 28.5 (IQR 19.5-38.0)). In 20 patients (90.9%), SARS-CoV-2 had a huge impact on relationship and sexual life, but no patient attended a clinic for sexual difficulties. In conclusion quarantine has negatively influenced SF in infected patients; however, 3 months after the rRT-PCR negative test, a promising return to the preinfection SF values is observed.

Single and Partnered Individuals' Sexual Satisfaction as a Function of Sexual Desire and Activities: Results Using a Sexual Satisfaction Scale Demonstrating Measurement Invariance Across Partnership Status.

Although some evidence exists to suggest that single (i.e., unpartnered) individuals are less sexually satisfied on average than are partnered individuals, it is unclear whether the variables correlating with each group's sexual satisfaction are similar or different. This research sought to examine how desire for and actual engagement in solitary and partnered sexual activities are associated with both groups' sexual satisfaction. We first conducted a preliminary study (n = 572) to test and refine existing measures of sexual satisfaction for applicability across relationship status. In two follow-up studies (N = 1,238), measurement invariance (across relationship status and gender) of the resulting 4-item sexual satisfaction scale was established. Further, results across the studies showed that for singles dyadic sexual desire was negatively related to sexual satisfaction, whereas no significant link was found with solitary desire. For individuals in romantic relationships, having higher sexual desire involving a partner and lower solitary desire were both associated with greater sexual satisfaction. When analyzing participants' responses on the desired and actual frequency of engaging in specific sexual acts, we found that for both single and partnered individuals, frequent engagement in partnered acts was associated with greater sexual satisfaction. Wanting frequent engagement in partnered acts was associated with lower sexual satisfaction for both groups, but only if the current frequency of engaging in these acts was low. These findings suggest that at least during the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting desires for partnered sex plays an important role in maintaining a sexually satisfying life, regardless of one's relationship status.