The sexuality of couples formed during the pandemic: An exploratory study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275068
• Publication Date: 2022-10-07T17:40:53Z
• Authors: Sara Filisetti; Carla Tortora; Cristina Paruta; Federica Ida Piazza; Marta Panzeri
• Keywords: Male; Science; Sexual Behavior; Q; 05 social sciences; R; COVID-19; Sexual Partners; Medicine; Humans; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Pandemics; Sexuality; Research Article

Covid-19 has been affecting people’s lives on a social, economic, emotional, and sexual level. This study aims to investigate any change in how couples formed during the pandemic got to know the partner and experienced sexuality, including factors that could have influenced those changes in comparison with a pre-pandemic period. Particularly, focus groups (N = 26 women) were conducted and an online questionnaire (N = 120; 41 men and 79 women) was administered. Given the exploratory qualitative nature of the present research, no specific hypothesis was tested. Most of the sample reported an increase in sexual desire, sexual frequency, and quality of intercourse, perceiving an early development of intimacy. The results highlight the lack of stress and fear of contagion. The intense state of euphoria, typical of the initial phase of the relationship, has perhaps allowed the couples to overcome the obstacles due to the restrictions. This study underlines the role of being in love in the survival of the species, as it allows for the creation of steady relationships even in moments of danger.