• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Public Health

Young adult romantic relationships and sexual activity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

byAndréa Rondeau-BrownandAlex Chan
October 7, 2021
in Public Health
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. Youth have continued to engage in romantic relationships and sexual activity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic 

2. Access to sexual health educations, services, and resources are required to meet the  needs of young adults and adolescents 

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good) 

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to school closures and stay-at-home orders within The United States, impacting the social lives of adolescents (13-17), young adults (18-21), and their relationships. Previous studies have examined the effects of social distancing on peer acceptance, social connection, and mental health. However, there has been limited data on young people’s romantic and sexual relationships during the pandemic. This study aimed to address this gap and assess the impact of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines on romantic and sexual relationships of young people in Fresno County, California. Fresno County was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 with higher rates of the virus than the state average and their schools closed for the 2020-2021 year. Participants aged 13-19 were recruited from a larger sample of participants enrolled in a 5 year, randomized controlled trial for sexual health education. Students were invited to complete an online survey about the impacts of COVID-19 on their living arrangements, their sexual and reproductive health, and the use of technology in their relationships. Furthermore, participants were asked questions regarding the impacts of physical distancing from intimate partners, sexual activities, online relationships, and baseline attitudes towards COVID-19.The use of the Chi-square test of independence allowed comparison between age groups (adolescents vs young adults), gender identity, and sexual orientation. A total of n=351 youth responded to the survey with the majority being females (72%), Hispanic (75%), and heterosexual (83%). Over one third (37%) of respondents were in a romantic relationship during the pandemic. Among these participants 34% were unable to spend time with their partner during the lockdown restrictions. This social distancing was mainly due to parental restrictions among adolescents compared to young adults (44% vs 20%). The stay-at-home orders lead to increased parental monitoring, less independence, and reduced privacy. However, the percentage of participants who had sex monthly declined by only 1% with similarly insignificant reductions among weekly and daily rates. Further studies are required to analyze the lasting impacts on mental health among youth with regards to their relationships. Relationships differed between adolescents and young adults due to their living situations and the influence of parents and caregivers. A limitation of the study was the relatively small sample size in only one county in California which may not be generalizable to the larger population. However, a strength of the small sample size was that it included primarily Hispanic participants, a demographic often underrepresented in research studies and in past surveys. Overall, the study reinforced the need for continued access to sexual and reproductive health services and education for youth even during pandemic lockdowns. Health care providers, schools, and community organizations should have resources available for youth during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to keep adolescents and young adults safe and healthy. 

Click to read the study in BMC Public Health

Image: PD

©2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

RELATED REPORTS

United States medical cannabis registration increased significantly between 2016 and 2020

RSVpreF vaccine prevents symptomatic respiratory syncytial virus infection

Molnupiravir improves outcomes in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Tags: public healthsexual activity
Previous Post

Coronavirus: How to avoid overeating when working from home

Next Post

Wellness Check: Mental Health

RelatedReports

Parental cannabis use increasing, cigarette use decreasing
Chronic Disease

United States medical cannabis registration increased significantly between 2016 and 2020

June 29, 2022
RSV positivity associated with reduced serious bacterial infection risk [Classics Series]
Infectious Disease

RSVpreF vaccine prevents symptomatic respiratory syncytial virus infection

June 24, 2022
Masks for personal protection for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Infectious Disease

Molnupiravir improves outcomes in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients

June 23, 2022
Reduced doses of human papillomavirus vaccine may be effective in preventing condyloma
Public Health

Human papillomavirus vaccine effective in preventing infections in the United States

June 23, 2022
Next Post
Quick Take: Effect of Developmentally Adapted Cognitive Processing Therapy for Youth With Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Childhood Sexual and Physical Abuse

Wellness Check: Mental Health

Ultrasound enhances gastrointestinal absorption of drugs at low frequencies

Fatalities in children associated with cough and cold medication often due to non-therapeutic intent

#VisualAbstract: Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography can be used to detect pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer

#VisualAbstract: Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography can be used to detect pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Sickle cell trait associated with preexisting kidney comorbidities and increased COVID-19 mortality
  • Adding atezolizumab to standard of care treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive early breast cancer does not improve pathologic response outcomes
  • FOLFOX combined with nivolumab and trastuzumab in ERBB2-positive esophagogastric adenocarcinoma is an emerging therapy option
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.