"Physical Sex Is Over for Now": Impact of COVID-19 on the Well-Being and Sexual Health of Adolescent Sexual Minority Males in the U.S. J Adolesc Health 2020 Dec;67(6):756-762
Date
10/12/2020Pubmed ID
33039273Pubmed Central ID
PMC7683377DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.08.027Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85092144771 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 50 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing measures have impacted the well-being and sexual health among adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM) during the initial phase of physical distancing mandates in the U.S.
METHODS: From March 27, 2020, to May 8, 2020, U.S. ASMM (N = 151; aged 14-17 years) completed the online baseline survey of a sexual health intervention trial. COVID-19-related closed- and open-ended questions were included. A mixed-methods approach assessed COVID-19-related changes in well-being and sexual health by outness with an accepting guardian.
RESULTS: The majority (57%) of participants reported being worried about COVID-19. Almost all (91%) were physically distancing. Participants noted that COVID-19 changed school, home, work, and family life. Participants highlighted that COVID-19 reduced their ability to socialize and had a deleterious effect on their mental health. In the past 3 months, participants reported seeing sexual partners in person less often, masturbating and viewing pornography more often, and sexting and messaging on men-seeking-men websites/phone applications about the same amount. Many described being physically distanced from sexual partners, and some noted an increase in their use of virtual ways to connect with partners (e.g., video chatting). There were no differences by outness with an accepting guardian in quantitative or qualitative responses.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a snapshot of the initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among a convenience sample of U.S. ASMM and underscore the need to provide access to resources sensitive to their social, developmental, and sexual health needs during this crisis.
Author List
Nelson KM, Gordon AR, John SA, Stout CD, Macapagal KAuthor
Steven A. John PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdolescent Health
Humans
Internet
Male
Sexual Partners
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
