Perceived Changes in Sexual Interest and Distress About Discrepant Sexual Interest During the First Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Assessment in Cohabiting Partnered Individuals

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Aleksandar Štulhofer https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5138-3644
• Author: Jasmina Mehulić
• Author: Peer Briken
• Author: Kateřina Klapilová
• Author: Hanneke de Graaf
• Author: Ana Alexandra Carvalheira
• Author: Charlotta Löfgren-Mårtenson
• Author: Pedro Nobre
• Author: Marie Chollier
• Author: Özlem Köse
• Author: Eva Elmerstig
• Author: Christophe Lançon
• Author: Leona Plášilová
• Author: Johanna Schröder
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of Psychology)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of Sociology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Sociology; Specific Sociologies
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Psychology

Abstract (english)

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, different restrictive measures in terms of physical distancing and lockdowns have been introduced in most European countries, affecting all facets of social life. Currently, little is known about how partnered individuals perceive changes in their sexual life during this complex emergency. This study explored retrospectively assessed changes in sexual interest for one’s partner and levels of distress related to perceived sexual interest discrepancy during the first phase of the pandemic in a large-scale online sample of partnered individuals (n = 4813; Mage = 38.5 years, SD = 10.74) recruited between May and July 2020 in seven European Union countries and Turkey. We also examined the possible role of approach/avoidance motives for sex in reported changes in sexual interest and associated distress. Most participants (53%) reported no change in their sexual interest during the pandemic, followed by those who reported an increase (28.5%). The pattern was similar across the eight countries. Distress about discrepant sexual interest, which was only weakly related to changes in sexual interest, was significantly associated with relationship quality and emotional closeness with a partner, coping with and worrying about the pandemic, and specific motivation for sex. In contrast to avoidant and relationship-focused approach motivation, ego-focused approach motivation was related to stable sexual interest during the pandemic. The current study contributes to the understanding of the link between sexual interest and complex emergencies. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the reported experiences and perceptions are prone to change.

• Keywords (english): Sexual interest discrepancy; Sexual distress; COVID-19; Complex emergency Approach/avoidance sexual motivation
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Archives of Sexual Behavior
• Numbering: vol. -, s10508-021-02279-z
• p-ISSN: 0004-0002
• e-ISSN: 1573-2800
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02279-z
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:718860
• Online first: 2022-01-17
• Document URL: https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10508-021-02279-z
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access; Embargo expiration date: 2023-01-17
• Public note: This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02279-z.
• Created on: 2022-01-19 13:46:35