Young people’s romantic relationships and sexual activity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Social distancing measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 may profoundly impact young people’s relationships. This study compared adolescent and young adults’ romantic relationships and sexual activity before and after social distancing policies were enacted. Methods In June 2020, 351 youth participating in an ongoing intervention study in Fresno County, California completed an online survey about their experiences related to COVID-19. The survey included open and closed-ended questions about their romantic relationships, sexual activity, and online romantic or sexual interactions before and during social distancing restrictions. We used the chi-square test of independence to compare adolescent (ages 13–17) and young adults’ (ages 18–21) responses. Results were also compared to responses in the intervention study’s baseline survey. Results One-third (37%) of youth were dating or in a romantic relationship and 28% spent time in person with a partner early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those dating or in a relationship, 34% physically distanced from their partner due to parental restrictions related to COVID-19. Youth also spent less time in person with their partners during the pandemic than before. Although most youth (69%) were not sexually active before or during the pandemic, 22% had sex during the social distancing period. Young adults were more likely to spend time with their partners and have sex during the restrictions than adolescents. Most youth were not involved in sexting or online dating, before or during the pandemic. Conclusions Adolescents and young adults have continued to engage in sexual and romantic relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic, although many reported physical distancing from their partners. Results suggest that youth continue to need access to sexual health education and services during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on adolescent sexual life and attitudes: have we considered all the possible secondary effects of the pandemic?

“…Although not all studies have demonstrated that social distancing during the pandemic resulted in less sexual interaction among adults [ 25 ], a significant number of studies from different countries have shown a decrease in partnered sex and increased online dating during the pandemic [ 26 – 29 ]. Similar results were demonstrated in studies on adolescents and young adults, who turned to digital forms of communication with partners and to digital pornography use during the pandemic [ 23 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Understanding Perceived Risks and Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents and Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…While the study harnesses the infrastructure of multiple research studies and collaboration to better understand contextual factors of COVID-19 in this single urban community with high STI prevalence and COVID-19 health disparities, there is a small sample size and limited generalizability to other communities or youth not involved in sexual health research. Like other recent studies, much of these data are regionally specific and leveraged youth already in research studies due to the limited access to youth during the pandemic [ 21 , 22 ]. The present study further adds to our knowledge about youth sexual behavior during COVID-19 and suggests that factors aside from the impacts of COVID-19 on social circles influence the sexual health of AYA.…”

Interrupted Access to and Use of Family Planning Among Youth in a Community‐Based Service in Zimbabwe During the First Year of the COVID‐19 Pandemic

“… 2021a ; Both, Castle, and Hensen 2021 ; Yarger et al. 2021 ; Endler et al. 2021 ; Balachandren et al.…”

“…Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, commentaries (Hussein 2020;Aly et al 2020;Kumar, Malviya, and Sharma 2020;Hall et al 2020) and empirical studies on the impacts of COVID-19 on SRH have emerged (Gilbert et al 2021;Bolarinwa 2021;Lewis et al 2021a;Both, Castle, and Hensen 2021;Yarger et al 2021;Endler et al 2021;Balachandren et al 2022;Steiner et al 2021). Some studies, such as ours, found that access to contraception became difficult during lockdowns (Balachandren et al 2022), and others focused specifically on the impact on adolescents and young people (Lewis et al 2021a;Both, Castle, and Hensen 2021;Yarger et al 2021;Steiner et al 2021). Two of these studies have shown findings that support our findings (Both, Castle, and Hensen 2021;Lewis et al 2021b).…”