Those who maintained healthy sex and intimate lives at the start of the pandemic used sex as a coping mechanism to enhance their relationships with their partners, and while some people’s sex lives took off, others fizzled. Done, new research shows.
The analyzes revealed that nine coping mechanisms had a significant impact on people’s sex lives.
These included such strategies as using sex to feel more desirable; expanding one’s sexual repertoire through experimentation and risk-taking strategies, such as trying new sexual activities or drugs; promoting intimacy through sex and other relational strategies; Precautionary and rational strategies, including being more selective about one’s partners or being mindful of safe sex practices; and strategies for creativity and innovation, such as becoming more playful and spontaneous.
The remaining mechanisms included online and technology strategies such as watching porn and using phone sex; having sex with substances such as drugs and alcohol; context-related strategies such as having sex in public places; using sex to relax and other diversion strategies; and educational strategies.
Liza Berdichevsky, a professor of recreation, sports and tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, conducted an online survey of 675 people to find the difference between those whose sex lives had declined and those whose sex lives had improved. There was an increase.
The sample was more than 65 percent female, and a similar proportion of participants were from the US.
In one of three papers published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, participants were asked whether they had engaged in 59 sexual coping strategies to enhance their sex lives during the first year of the pandemic.
Berdichevsky found that the resilience of individuals’ love lives—including their frequency of sexual activity, desire, and satisfaction—was significantly predicted by their engagement in the sexual coping mechanisms studied.
In another paper published in the Journal of Sexuality Research and Social Policy, they further examine these coping mechanisms, clarify the determinants of their use and usefulness, and examine their effects on the quantity and quality of sex.
Compared to men, women were significantly more likely to engage in sexual activity to pursue goals, to benefit their relationships, and to use careful and logical strategies.
Women rated strategies such as using sex as a form of creativity, enjoyment or diversion, and using educational strategies as more useful than men in the study. Sexual desire was driven by gender and was higher for males than females.
In another paper from this study, published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, the findings revealed a significant decline in the frequency, quality and variety of sexual behaviour, desire and satisfaction.
“The psychological impact of the pandemic will be there for some time even with the ‘new normal,’ and it will be felt in sexual expression and relationships,” Berdichevsky said.
“Educating people on sexual coping resources and strategies is essential to protect their sexual well-being and quality of life,” she added.











