Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of Data from a Survey on Partnered Individuals in Eight European Countries

• DOI: 10.1007/s12119-022-10035-1
• Publication Date: 2022-10-27T19:07:51Z
• Authors: Charlotta Löfgren; Eva Elmerstig; Johanna Schröder; Marie Chollier; Jasmina Mehulić; Hanneke de Graaf; Katerina Klapilova; Inês Tavares; Peer Briken; Özlem Köse; Pedro Nobre; Aleksandar Štulhofer
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Survey data collection; Qualitative property

Abstract This qualitative study explores experiences of intimacy and sexuality during the first phase COVID-19 pandemic 3357 participants from Croatia, Czech Republic, Netherlands, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey. Data were collected through open-ended questions within a survey on pandemic. Based reflexive thematic analysis three themes occurred. The theme No change was described by 41% when summarizing their sex life second Positive experienced 25%, third Negative 21%. An overarching then emerged as: “Still same trajectories, but could be catalyst for improved or worsened sex- life.” For those intimate partnered individuals who already had problems with before it seemed to remain deteriorated throughout positive remained These findings are relevant researchers clinicians in developing preventive supportive interventions context crisis social isolation.