ERIC Number: EJ1379656
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Sep
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
COVID-19 and the College Sexual Experience: Undergraduates' Behaviors and Perceptions of Risk during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Maziarz, Lauren; Askew, Tiffany
College Student Journal, v56 n3 p259-267 Sep 2022
Background: The effects of COVID-19 on social mobility are still being recognized yet few studies have examined sex behavior and sexual risk during the pandemic. Methods: A random sample of 2000 undergraduate students at a mid-sized, public university in Ohio were sent an electronic survey in April 2021. A total of 293 completed surveys were included for analysis (14.7%). Results: Females were significantly more likely than males to agree kissing, oral sex, vaginal sex, and anal sex increase the risk of COVID. Most agreed COVID is making it harder to "hook-up" (i.e. have casual sexual encounters) and that they are masturbating more. While females were more likely than males to agree COVID is making it harder to hook-up, males were more likely than females to agree that they are missing out on intimacy, they are watching more porn, they are dissatisfied with the amount of sex they are having, and that they want to have sex but COVID is making it harder to find a partner. Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 does not appear to be high among this population, although most agreed the virus was a serious threat. Moreover, perceptions of COVID risk differed based on the type of sexual activity and gender. Our results also show that more free time during the pandemic did not always translate into more sex for college students.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Sexuality, Student Behavior, Student Attitudes, Risk, COVID-19, Pandemics, Health Behavior, Disease Control, Sex, Risk Management, Dating (Social), Intimacy
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A