Changes in Sexual Fantasy and Solitary Sexual Practice During Social Lockdown Among Young Adults in the UK

Abstract

Introduction Pandemic-related social lockdown limited many sexual behaviors, but to date, no study has examined the perceived impact of social lockdown due to COVID-19 on sexual fantasy and solitary sexual behavior. Aims The present study sought to examine the perceived impact of social lockdown on sexual fantasy and solitary sexual behavior among UK young adults in various living situations. Methods A convenience sample of 565 adults aged 18–32 and living in the UK completed anonymous, web-based, study-specific questionnaires between May 14 and 18, 2020, 7 weeks after social lockdown was initiated. Mixed-method analyses were conducted. Main Outcome Measures The study presents qualitative and quantitative data. Criterion variables were measured dichotomously as increases (vs no change) in sexual fantasy and increases (vs no change) in pornography consumption. Predictor variables were living arrangement, relationship status, and postlockdown changes in masturbation and pornography consumption. Results Of all, 34.3% engaged in more sexual fantasizing during lockdown; women were more likely than men to report this increase. Living context and relationship status were predictors of increased fantasizing. Of all, 30.44% reported an increase in at least one solitary sexual practice. This increase was associated with an increase in sexual fantasizing and also with increased pornography consumption. Nineteen percent of participants reported an increase in pornography use, with men being more likely than women to report this increase. Participants mostly attributed their increases to boredom, increased free time, and replacing partnered sex. Conclusion Shifts in sexual fantasizing and solitary sexual practices were predicted by living arrangements, relationship status, and gender. The present findings suggest that the assessment of sexual fantasy and solitary sexual activities may benefit patients presenting with pandemic-related stress. Although mostly exploratory, significant changes in sexual fantasy and solitary sexual practices were observed. A cross-sectional design, convenience sampling, and study-specific measures are limitations. Cascalheira CJ, McCormack M, Portch E, et al. Changes in Sexual Fantasy and Solitary Sexual Practice During Social Lockdown Among Young Adults in the UK. J Sex Med 2021;9:100342.

Solitary and joint online pornography use during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Portugal: Intrapersonal and interpersonal correlates

“…When asked about the reasons for having masturbated more since the outbreak, both single and partnered people indicated pleasure motives, desire to have sex, and having no one readily available (Hille et al, 2021). Coping with boredom and passing the time were also reasons to explain the higher frequency of masturbation during the pandemic, whereas lack of alone time and less sex drive were reasons to masturbate less (Cascalheira et al, 2021). These findings suggest that acting upon one's sexual desire during lockdown was not necessarily beneficial for sexual satisfaction, especially when people engaged in solitary behaviors.…”

“…Solitary pornography use has been negatively associated with sexual satisfaction overall (Wright et al, 2018), and for partnered people it has also been associated with worse relational outcomes (e.g., Willoughby et al, 2016;Wright et al, 2017). Using pornography alone is related to masturbation (e.g., Carvalheira et al, 2015;McNabney et al, 2020), which was driven by feelings of boredom and sexual desire when partners were unavailable during the pandemic (Cascalheira et al, 2021;Hille et al, 2021). Hence, partnered and single participants who report increases in solitary online pornography use since the lockdown should report decreases in their sex life quality (H1) and less sexual satisfaction (H2).…”

“Compared to COVID, HIV is nothing”: exploring how onshore international students in an Australian City navigate COVID-19 versus BBV/STI risk

“…With or without a pandemic, people may generally seek relief from mental health distress by engaging in pleasurable activities such as alcohol and other drug use [11][12][13][14][15] and sex 16,17 . Pre-COVID, social isolation and migration-related distress have been linked with risky sexual practices and poor sexual health outcomes among international students in Australia 18, 19 .…”

“Compared to COVID, HIV is nothing”: exploring how onshore international students in an Australian City navigate COVID-19 versus BBV/STI risk

“…With or without a pandemic, people may generally seek relief from mental health distress by engaging in pleasurable activities such as alcohol and other drug use 8, [12][13][14][15] and sex [16][17] . Pre-COVID, social isolation and migration-related distress have been linked with risky sexual practices and poor sexual health outcomes among international students in Australia 18, 19 .…”

“…While a large body of evidence indicates increased alcohol and other drug use among young people because of the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during and after the restrictive lockdowns 8, [12][13][14][15] , evidence around the use of sex to mitigate the psychological impact of the pandemic is scarce. Most of what we know about sex during COVID-19 lockdowns is largely based on solitary sexual practices 16,17,20 , which may not answer the critical question around how the pandemic may be shaping BBV/STI risk practices among young people. Therefore, understanding how international students navigated the COVID-19 versus BBV/STI risk spectrum during COVID-19 lockdowns could help improve what we know about the impact of the pandemic on BBV/STI risk practices among young people.…”