Sexuality Through the Lens of Secure Base Attachment Dynamics: Individual Differences in Sexploration

A key aspect of attachment functioning is the secure base, which empowers people to explore their environments, though some individuals do this more effectively than others. While most researchers have focused on adult attachment dynamics in terms of stress and threat (safe haven), we argue that concerted attention should also focus on relational processes in times of optimal functioning. In this paper, we introduce a new theoretical concept: secure base sexual exploration (or sexploration). We define this as the degree to which individuals are able to effectively explore multifaceted dimensions of sexuality (e.g., behaviors, identity) as a function of secure attachment dynamics. Put another way, we posit that interpersonal attachment security, which is a function of individual and dyadic factors, may meaningfully predict the degree to which individuals are comfortable with sexual exploration. In the first section of our paper, we outline core tenets of attachment theory, followed by an explanation of the secure base construct. We then explain how the secure base construct can be useful in conceptualizing individual differences in sexploration, followed by domain-specific sexual outcomes (e.g., behavior, identity) that may stem from sexploration. Embedded in this discussion is a new approach for researchers to examine these links

Engagement in Consensual Non-monogamy and Multi-partner Sex During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights From a National Sample of Single Americans

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing gave people time to think about their sex lives. Previous research by Lehmiller and colleagues (2021), showed correlations between loneliness and stress with increased sexual risk taking and new sexual desires during the pandemic. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of engagement in consensual non-monogamy and multi-partnered sex during the COVID-19 pandemic taking into account sociodemographic factors and living arrangements. We analyzed data from a national sample of people who are currently single in the U.S. as part of The Kinsey Institute’s annual Singles in America study (N = 3,622; 60.7% identified as women; 39.3% identified as men; 88% identified as heterosexual/straight people; 12% identified as lesbian/gay/bisexual). Data were collected in June-August in 2021 when vaccinates were widely available in the U.S. We found that a small, but sizable proportion of single people engaged in diverse types of multi-partnered relationships and sexual acts during the pandemic. Specifically, 8.1% of single Americans indicated that they had engaged in a consensually non-monogamous relationship during the pandemic followed by 3.8% and 3.1% who indicated that they had a threesome or group sex, respectively. Men and sexual minorities (lesbian, gay, and bisexual people) were more likely to have engaged in consensual non-monogamy and multi-partner sex during the pandemic than women and heterosexual people, respectively (Brange: 0.53-0.89, pvalues \u3c 0.01). Associations between living arrangements and desire for socializing will also be discussed as individual difference factors. These data suggest that engagement in consensual non-monogamy and multi-partnerd sex during the COVID-19 pandemic is more prevalent than some people may expect

Desire, Familiarity, and Engagement in Polyamory: Results From a National Sample of Single Adults in the United States

Coupledom and notions of intimacy and family formation with one committed partner are hallmarks of family and relationship science. Recent national surveys in the United States and Canada have found that consensually non-monogamous relationships are common, though prevalence of specific types of consensual non-monogamy are unknown. The present research draws on a United States Census based quota sample of single adults (N = 3,438) to estimate the prevalence of desire for, familiarity with, and engagement in polyamory—a distinct type of consensually non-monogamous relationship where people typically engage in romantic love and sexual intimacy with multiple partners. Results show that 1 out of 6 people (16.8%) desire to engage in polyamory, and 1 out of 9 people (10.7%) have engaged in polyamory at some point during their life. Approximately 1 out of 15 people (6.5%) reported that they knew someone who has been or is currently engaged in polyamory. Among participants who were not personally interested in polyamory, 1 out of 7 (14.2%) indicated that they respect people who engage in polyamory. Few sociodemographic correlates emerged; no differences in prevalence were found based on political affiliation, income, religion, geographic region, or race/ethnicity. Sexual minorities, men, and younger adults reported greater desire to engage in polyamory (compared to heterosexuals, women, and older adults, respectively). Men and people with lower education backgrounds were more likely to have previously engaged in polyamory (compared to women and people with higher education backgrounds, respectively). Given that emotional and sexual intimacy is an important part of most people’s lives, understanding the varied ways in which people navigate their intimate lives is critical for the fields of relationship, sexuality, and family science

Engagement in Diverse Sexual Behaviors and Desire for Different Types of Relationships Among Single Heterosexual People when COVID-19 Vaccines were First Available

Background Decades of research have found a consistent gender difference in sexuality: men tend to desire short-term and casual relationships, and women desire monogamous relationships (Petersen & Hyde, 2010; Moors et al., 2013). The COVID-19 pandemic provides a context that may shift a person’s desires for sexual activities or types of relationships. Recent research suggests that the pandemic allowed people to reevaluate their intimate lives, including lowered interest in monogamy and increased exploration of sexual activities (Lehmiller et al., 2021; Masterson et al., under review). Method: In the present study, we analyzed data from a national sample of single people in the U.S. as part of The Kinsey Institute’s 2020 annual Singles in America study (N = 2,151; 53.2% heterosexual women; 46.8% heterosexual men). Data were collected in June-August in 2021 when the first series of COVID-19 vaccines became available to the public. Using Chi-Square analysis, we analyzed gender differences across the desire for different types of relationships and the engagement in diverse sexual behaviors when vaccines were available. We predicted that, contrary to previous research, there would be minimal gender difference in sexually diverse behaviors and desire for casual relationships. Results: To compare single heterosexual men’s and women’s interests in different types of relationships and sexual acts, we conducted a series of chi-square analyses. Results show that single heterosexual men reported higher desire for casual (e.g., one-night stands, friends with benefits) and CNM relationships (e.g., polyamory, open relationship) and were less likely to desire monogamous relationships than single heterosexual women, X2(2, N = 2,151)=75.64, pConclusion Although this was inconsistent with our hypotheses, the differences in desire for casual and CNM relationships were small. However, the difference in desire for monogamous relationships was medium-large. Findings reveal decreased gender differences in desired relationship types and sexual behaviors. These findings are important for social psychologists, sex therapists, and individuals pursuing romantic and sexual relationships to understand current trends and diversity in desired relationship types

Reconnecting with Exes and Having Sex with Platonic Roommates During the First Five Months of the COVID - 19 Pandemic

The first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic limited people’s interactions as a result of social distancing and stay-at-home orders across the U.S., and research documented declines in partnered sex during this time (Hensel et al., 2020). It is unclear if people who were single during the first few months of the pandemic found sexual connections with ex-partners or roommates. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of people contacting ex-partners and non-romantic roommates to engage in sex. We analyzed data from a national sample of people who were currently single in the U.S. as part of The Kinsey Institute’s annual Singles in America study (N = 4,264; 57.3% women; 42.5% men). Data was collected in June-August of 2020 when most states issued social distancing guidelines. Results show that 15% of people initiated re-engagement with an ex during these months. Of 736 people (out of 4264) who reached out to their ex, 55% texted or direct messaged, 26.5% phone/video chatted, 8.2% met in person, 5.8% sexted/had phone sex, and 2 people had sex in-person with their ex. Eleven percent of single people had sex with their platonic roommate for the first time, 13% said that they had sex with their roommate prior to lockdown, and 76% said that they did not have sex with their roommate. In the future, we plan to examine potential gender and orientation differences in engaging in sexual activity with ex-partners and roommates. We hypothesize that LGBTQ individuals will show a higher frequency of initiating sexual contact with ex-partners or roommates because gay individuals have reported higher levels of post-breakup connectedness than heterosexuals (Harkless & Fowers, 2005)

Traditional Sexual Script and Double Standard Adherence: Predictors of Heterosexually Identified Women’s and Men’s Previous Engagement in Consensual Non-Monogamy

With respect to consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships (e.g., open relationships, polyamory), a consistent gender difference emerges: heterosexual men report greater desire and engagement in CNM than heterosexual women (Haupert et al., 2017; Moors et al., 2015). This gender difference raises the question: Why do women and men differ in their CNM behaviors? In the present study, we suggest that this may be due to women’s stronger adherence to the traditional sexual script, which is rooted in gendered dating norms, punishes women who engage in non-committed sexual behaviors, and glorifies monogamy (Fritz & Kitzinger, 2001). We examined how heterosexual men’s and women’s adherence to the traditional sexual script affects their previous engagement in CNM using data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (n = 3,438). Participants completed three measures relevant to this study: 1) endorsement of the sexual script (attitudes towards sex and love; (S. S. Hendrick & Hendrick, 2002), 2) level of permissiveness towards casual sex; (C. Hendrick, Hendrick, & Reich, 2006), and 3) previous engagement in CNM.Binary logistic regressions revealed that gender moderated the relationship between endorsement of traditional sexual scripts as well as attitudes toward casual sex for previous engagement in CNM. That is, heterosexual women were more likely than heterosexual men to endorsement the sexual script and hold less positive attitudes toward casual sex which, in turn predicted a lower likelihood of previously engaging in CNM, B = -0.31, p = .03 and B = -.49, p = .01. While one in five American adults have engaged in CNM at some point in their lives, these relationships continued to be stigmatized and understudied (Haupert et al., 2017). To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine why gender differences related to CNM exist, thus expanding the current research on CNM relationships in order to demystify relationships that challenge the monogamous ideal. It appears that traditional norms and disinterest play an important role in predicting women’s and men’s behavior related to CNM

Online Dating During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is it the New Norm?

For many who were single during the COVID-19 pandemic, this public health crisis may have led to issues with dating or finding a romantic partner. To understand the impact of the pandemic on dating life, in the present study, we examined single people’s dating app usage collected as part of The Kinsey Institute’s annual Singles in America project. Using a nationally representative sample of people who were currently single in the U.S. (N = 4,877 with an average age of 45.92), we found that the vast majority of single people (96%) were using dating apps (e.g., Tinder, Bumble, Match) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixty-two percent of the sample identified as women and 37.4% identified as men; 88.5% identified as heterosexual and 11.5% identified as a sexual minority (gay, lesbian, or bisexual). One-quarter (24.9%) of single people were using dating apps more frequently than compared to before the pandemic; nearly one-half (42.5%) were less active during the pandemic (the remaining reported no change in dating app usage). Multiple linear regression results show that men and sexual minorities were using dating apps at a higher frequency during the pandemic, compared to women and heterosexual people, respectfully (B = .16, p = .006 and B = .19, p = .01). Age was not associated with dating app usage during the pandemic. Information about video date usage and enjoyment will be discussed as well as common video date activities (e.g., long conversations, sex, games) during the pandemic. Taken together, these results suggest that dating app usage decreased during the pandemic (except for men and sexual minorities), which is likely due to health concerns. At the same time, video dating may have become a new norm during this time period

How Can I Get COVID?: Understanding Diferences in American Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Men’s Risk Perception

Men are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infections compared to women, but their risk perceptions around COVID-19 are persis - tently lower. Further, men often engage in less health promotion behavior because self-care in this capacity is seen as weak or less masculine. This combination has consequences for mortality; thus, a better understanding of men’s COVID-19 cognitions and individual diference factors is critical. In a web-based survey conducted during the beginning stages of the pandemic in the U.S., we collected risk perceptions of various sexual and non-sexual behaviors from heterosexual ( n = 137) and gay/bisexual men ( n = 108). There were no signifcant sexual orientation diferences for perceptions of COVID-19 risk from routine activities or in overall risk estimates. However, gay/bisexual men did report engaging in more precautionary behavior while socializing (i.e., masking, social distancing) and reported higher risk perceptions than did heterosexual men for nearly all intimate and sexual activities. A more nuanced understanding of cognitions around COVID-19 is needed to better understand motivation for—and especially motivation against—pursuing vaccinations and continuing precautionary behavior

Changes in Utilization of Birth Control and PrEP During COVID‑19 in the USA: A Mixed‑Method Analysis

In the USA, the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges beyond the direct consequences of the infection. Because of shifting resources in response to need, many domains within the healthcare sector unrelated to COVID-19 have had inter - rupted abilities to provide care. In the current study, we focus on preventative sexual health care during the pandemic. In a sample of 511 (mean age = 27.7) people, we examined quantitative data regarding continuation and discontinuation of birth control and PrEP during the pandemic, along with qualitative data illustrating the underlying reasons for participants’ (dis) continuation. Results showed that most (92.5%) of birth control users reported continuation of their birth control, with the predominant reasons reported being use for health reasons, long-acting reversible contraceptive use, access to remote health - care services, and increased vigilance over pregnancy prevention. Conversely, around half (52.6%) of PrEP-using participants reported already discontinuing or planning to discontinue their PrEP regimen. Temporary abstinence and concerns about accessing in-person health care were the predominant reasons for PrEP discontinuation. These results have implications for both researchers and sexual healthcare providers. Disruptions to preventative sexual health care should be considered in ongoing research about patient needs, and healthcare providers may wish to consider particular challenges faced by PrEP users concerning re-start and continuation

Medical avoidance among marginalized groups: the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic

Medical avoidance is common among U.S. adults, and may be emphasized among members of marginalized communities due to discrimination concerns. In the current study, we investigated whether this disparity in avoidance was maintained or exacerbated during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the likelihood of avoiding medical care due to general-, discrimination-, and COVID-19-related concerns in an online sample ( N = 471). As hypothesized, marginalized groups (i.e., non-White race, Latinx/e ethnicity, non-heterosexual sexual orientation, high BMI) endorsed more general- and discrimina - tion-related medical avoidance than majoritized groups. However, marginalized groups were equally likely to seek COVID-19 treatment as majoritized groups. Implications for reducing medical avoidance among marginalized groups are discussed