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Initial Impacts of COVID-19 on Sexual Behaviour in Britain: Findings from a Large, Quasi-Representative Survey (Natsal-COVID)

21 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2021

See all articles by Catherine Heather Mercer

Catherine Heather Mercer

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Soazig Clifton

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Julie Riddell

University of Glasgow - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit

Clare Tanton

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Lily Freeman

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Andrew Copas

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Emily Dema

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Raquel Bosó Pérez

University of Glasgow - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit

Jo Gibbs

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Wendy Macdowall

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Dee Menezes

University College London

Mary-Clare Ridge

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Chris Bonell

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Pam Sonnenberg

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Nigel Field

University College London - Institute for Global Health

Kirstin Rebecca Mitchell

University of Glasgow - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit

More...

Abstract

Background: Social restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19 dramatically altered sexual lifestyles but the specific impacts on sexual behaviour are still emerging. We examined sexual activity, frequency, and satisfaction following lockdown in Britain in March 2020 and compared to pre-lockdown.

Methods: Weighted analyses of web-panel survey data collected July/August 2020 from a quota-based sample of 6,654 people in Britain (18-59yrs). Multivariable regression examined independent associations of relationship status, age, and gender with perceived changes in frequency and satisfaction.

Findings: Most participants (86.7%) reported some form of sex in the four months following lockdown with physical activities more commonly reported than virtual activities (83.7% vs. 52.6%). Altogether, 63.2% reported sex with someone (‘partnered sex’) since lockdown, three-quarters of whom were in steady cohabiting relationships. With decreasing relationship formality, partnered sex was less frequently reported, while masturbation, sex toy use, and virtual activities were more frequently reported. Around half of all participants perceived no change in partnered sex frequency compared to the three months pre-lockdown, but this was only one-third among those not cohabiting, who were more likely to report increases in non-partnered activities than those cohabiting. Two-thirds of participants perceived no change in sexual satisfaction; declines were more common among those not cohabiting. Relationship informality and younger age were independently associated with perceiving change in both frequency and satisfaction.

Interpretation: COVID-19 restrictions led to significant shifts in sexual repertoires, frequency, and satisfaction for a minority in Britain; predominantly those not cohabiting and young people.

Funding: Natsal (Wellcome/ESRC/NIHR), MRC/CSO, and UCL COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund.

Declaration of Interest: The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Approval: We obtained ethics approval from University of Glasgow MVLS College Ethics Committee (reference 20019174) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Research Ethics committee (reference 22565).

Keywords: Covid-19, pandemic impact, sexual behaviour, sexual satisfaction, sexual and reproductive health

Suggested Citation

Mercer, Catherine Heather and Clifton, Soazig and Riddell, Julie and Tanton, Clare and Freeman, Lily and Copas, Andrew and Dema, Emily and Bosó Pérez, Raquel and Gibbs, Jo and Macdowall, Wendy and Menezes, Dee and Ridge, Mary-Clare and Bonell, Chris and Sonnenberg, Pam and Field, Nigel and Mitchell, Kirstin Rebecca, Initial Impacts of COVID-19 on Sexual Behaviour in Britain: Findings from a Large, Quasi-Representative Survey (Natsal-COVID). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3862706 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3862706

Catherine Heather Mercer (Contact Author)

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Soazig Clifton

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Julie Riddell

University of Glasgow - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit ( email )

Glasgow
United Kingdom

Clare Tanton

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine ( email )

United Kingdom

Lily Freeman

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Andrew Copas

University College London - Institute for Global Health

United Kingdom

Emily Dema

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Raquel Bosó Pérez

University of Glasgow - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit ( email )

Glasgow
United Kingdom

Jo Gibbs

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Wendy Macdowall

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine ( email )

United Kingdom

Dee Menezes

University College London

Gower Street
London, WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

Mary-Clare Ridge

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Chris Bonell

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Keppel Street
London, WC1E 7HT
United Kingdom

Pam Sonnenberg

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Nigel Field

University College London - Institute for Global Health ( email )

United Kingdom

Kirstin Rebecca Mitchell

University of Glasgow - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit ( email )

Glasgow
United Kingdom