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

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 13; p. 7769
• Main Authors: Rogowska, Aleksandra M, Wójcik, Natalia, Janik, Aleksandra, Klimala, Paulina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24-06-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Communicable Disease Control; Constrictions; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gender; Gender aspects; Humans; Male; Orgasm; Pandemics; Privacy; Public health; Public transportation; Questionnaires; Restrictions; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Sex differences; Sexual behavior; Sexual health; Social networks; Variance analysis; Womens health; Canada; Singapore; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; China; Egypt; Poland; Italy; France; Germany; COVID-19 pandemic; restrictions level; gender; sexual satisfaction; lockdown; stringency index; relationship status
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137769

: 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.
: 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 (
= 25.13,
= 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.
: 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.
: 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.