@proceedings{Mitchell_K-2021_59154,
title = {Early Impacts of COVID-19 on Sex Life and Relationship Quality: Findings From a Large British Quasi-Representative Online Survey (Natsal-COVID)},
author = {Mitchell, K. and Shimonovich, M. and Bosó Pérez, R. and Clifton, S. and Tanton, C. and Macdowall, W. and Bonell, C. and Riddell, J. and Copas, A. and Sonnenberg, P. and Mercer, C. and Field, N.},
month = {jul},
year = {2021},
abstract = {Background: By regulating behaviour at household level, COVID-19 restrictions drastically altered relationships. Given strong links between intimate relationships and health, we investigated how the pandemic impacted relational and sexual aspects of steady relationships in Britain in the 4-months following first national lockdown (23/3/2020). Methods: 6,657 participants aged 18–59 years completed a web-panel survey questionnaire between 29/7–10/8/20. A quasi-representative population sample was achieved via quotas and weighting. We analysed sexual activity by age, gender and cohabitation status, and used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to explore self-perceived changes in sex and relationship quality among those in steady relationships (n=4,271). Results: Of the full sample, 64.2% were in a steady relationship, mostly cohabiting (88.8%). Following lockdown, 48.9% of those in cohabitating relationships and 36.4% in non-cohabiting relationships reported sex (anal/vaginal/oral) at least weekly. Frequency of sexual activity varied by age, gender and cohabitation status. The majority reported no change in their sex life and relational quality compared with the months pre-lockdown. Among those perceiving change, quality of sex life was more commonly reported to deteriorate, whereas quality of relationship was more commonly reported to improve. Change – both positive and negative – was more commonly reported by younger people. Overall, 7% reported deterioration to a ‘lower quality’ relationship, with deterioration more commonly reported by those: in mid-life (35–44 vs. 45–59) (men, AOR:2.31; 95%CI:1.45–3.66; women, AOR=1.63; 95%CI:1.03–2.56); living in an urban area (among men) (AOR:2.61; 95%CI:1.15–5.90); and not living with a partner (among women) (AOR:2.01; 95%CI:1.28–3.16). Deterioration was associated with poor health and with decline in sexual aspects of the relationship. Conclusion: COVID-19 led to an early net gain in relationship quality but net loss in quality of sex lives in steady relationships in UK. A sizeable minority of steady relationships were adversely affected with implications for sexual – and wider – wellbeing.},
volume = {97},
issue = {(Suppl 1)},
journal = {Sexually Transmitted Infections.},
publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2021-sti.76},
}
