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Balzarini RN, Muise A, Zoppolat G, Gesselman AN, Lehmiller JJ, Garcia JR, Slatcher RB, Mark KP. Sexual Desire in the Time of COVID-19: How COVID-Related Stressors Are Associated with Sexual Desire in Romantic Relationships. Arch Sex Behav 2022; 51:3823-3838. [PMID: 36100726 PMCID: PMC9469826 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02365-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social distancing measures have caused widespread social and economic disruptions, resulting in spikes in unemployment and financial instability, along with drastic changes to people's ability to feel socially connected. Many of the changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are risk factors for depressive symptoms, which are associated with lower levels of sexual desire. The current research (N = 4,993) examined whether responses to external stressors brought on by COVID-19 (i.e., financial concern, worry, loneliness, stress) were associated with sexual desire among a multi-national sample of people in relationships (Studies 1-2), and whether this association was, in part, due to reports of depressive symptoms (Study 2). In the period immediately following the onset of the pandemic, more financial concern (Study 1) and worry (Study 2) were associated with higher sexual desire, while other factors, like stress (Studies 1-2), were associated with lower desire. We also followed a subset of participants every two weeks during the initial stages of the pandemic and at times when people reported greater stress, loneliness, financial strain, or worry than their average, they reported greater depressive symptoms, which was, in turn, associated with lower sexual desire. Results suggest that the social isolation and stress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have mixed associations with sexual desire at the onset of the pandemic. But over time, when people report heightened COVID-related stressors, they tend to report lower sexual desire for their partner, in part because these stressors are associated with more depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda N Balzarini
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA.
- The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
| | - Amy Muise
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Giulia Zoppolat
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Justin R Garcia
- The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Gender Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | | | - Kristen P Mark
- The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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2
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Mund M, Maes M, Drewke PM, Gutzeit A, Jaki I, Qualter P. Would the Real Loneliness Please Stand Up? The Validity of Loneliness Scores and the Reliability of Single-Item Scores. Assessment 2022; 30:1226-1248. [PMID: 35246009 PMCID: PMC10149889 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221077227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Several measures that assess loneliness have been developed for adults. Across three studies, we investigated psychometric features of scores of different versions of the Rasch-Type Loneliness Scale, the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and three single-item measures. In Study 1 (N = 697 self-ratings, N = 282 informant-ratings of 160 targets) and Study 2 (N = 1,216 individuals from 608 couples), we investigated convergent validity, self-informant agreement, and nomological nets of the item scores using correlates related to demographic aspects, personality, satisfaction, and network characteristics. In Study 3 (N = 411), we estimated a reliability of rxx>.70 for scores of three single-item measures of loneliness. Overall, scores of all measures and their nomological nets were highly correlated within and across studies, indicating that the scores of the included measures are all reliable and valid. Recommendations for choosing a loneliness measure are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Mund
- University of Klagenfurt, Austria.,Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
| | - Marlies Maes
- KU Leuven, Belgium.,Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium.,Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Pia M Drewke
- University of Klagenfurt, Austria.,Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
| | | | - Isabel Jaki
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
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Saporta N, Scheele D, Lieberz J, Nevat M, Kanterman A, Hurlemann R, Shamay-Tsoory SG. Altered activation in the action observation system during synchronization in high loneliness individuals. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:385-402. [PMID: 35220424 PMCID: PMC9837608 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lonely people tend to evaluate social exchanges negatively and to display difficulties in interactions. Interpersonal synchronization is crucial for achieving positive interactions, promoting affinity, closeness, and satisfaction. However, little is known about lonely individuals' ability to synchronize and about their brain activity while synchronizing. Following the screening of 303 participants, we recruited 32 low and 32 high loneliness participants. They were scanned while engaged in movement synchronization, using a novel dyadic interaction paradigm. Results showed that high loneliness individuals exhibited a reduced ability to adapt their movement to their partner's movement. Intriguingly, during movement adaptation periods, high loneliness individuals showed increased activation in the action observation (AO) system, specifically in the inferior frontal gyrus and the inferior parietal lobule. They did not show increased activation in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, which in the context of synchronization was suggested to be related to gap-monitoring. Based on these findings, we propose a model according to which lonely people may require stronger activation of their AO system for alignment, to compensate for some deficiency in their synchronization ability. Despite this hyperactivation, they still suffer from reduced synchronization capacity. Consequently, synchronization may be a relevant intervention area for the amelioration of loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nira Saporta
- Corresponding author: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jana Lieberz
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Nevat
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Alisa Kanterman
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Simone G Shamay-Tsoory
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Reitz AK, Weidmann R, Wünsche J, Bühler JL, Burriss RP, Grob A. In good times and in bad: A longitudinal analysis of the impact of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction in couples. Eur J Pers 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/08902070211054896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the impact of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction in both partners of a romantic couple. We investigate the moderating effects of the type of the lost relationship (close family, close friends/others) and romantic relationship characteristics (daily social support, responsiveness-closeness, self-disclosure). We examined 1238 individuals in 619 male–female couples from the ages 18 to 81 ( M [ SD] = 31.97 years [13.26]). Both partners completed questionnaires at two assessments that were 20 months ( SD = 2.02 months) apart, in between which n = 216 individuals were bereaved. Actor–partner interdependence models showed that bereavement did not predict later self-esteem or life satisfaction in either of the partners. The relationship characteristics and the type of lost relationship did not moderate the effects. The subjective meaning and distress of the loss predicted later self-esteem and life satisfaction. The self-esteem increase was larger for bereaved with a positive/neutral than for bereaved with a negative meaning of the bereavement. We found a partner effect on self-esteem for the group of bereaved who reported a negative meaning of the bereavement. The findings demonstrate that bereavement can impact romantic partners' self-esteem and that the subjective experience of bereavement helps understand individual differences in the effect of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebekka Weidmann
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Janina L. Bühler
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Saporta N, Scheele D, Lieberz J, Stuhr-Wulff F, Hurlemann R, Shamay-Tsoory SG. Opposing Association of Situational and Chronic Loneliness with Interpersonal Distance. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1135. [PMID: 34573157 PMCID: PMC8471414 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Loneliness is a prevalent condition with adverse effects on physical and mental health. Evolutionary theories suggest it evolved to drive people to reconnect. However, chronic loneliness may result in a negative social bias and self-preservation behaviors, paradoxically driving individuals away from social interactions. Lonely people often feel they are not close to anyone; however, little is known about their interpersonal distance preferences. During COVID-19, many experienced situational loneliness related to actual social isolation. Therefore, there was a unique opportunity to examine both chronic and situational (COVID-19-related) loneliness. In the present study, 479 participants completed an online task that experimentally assessed interpersonal distance preferences in four conditions-passively being approached by a friend or a stranger, and actively approaching a friend or a stranger. Results show that high chronic loneliness was related to a greater preferred distance across conditions. Intriguingly, by contrast, high COVID-19-related loneliness was related to a smaller preferred distance across conditions. These findings provide further support for the evolutionary theory of loneliness: situational loneliness indeed seems to drive people towards reconnection, while chronic loneliness seems to drive people away from it. Implications for the amelioration of chronic loneliness are discussed based on these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nira Saporta
- School of Psychological Science, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (F.S.-W.); (S.G.S.-T.)
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; (D.S.); (J.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany;
| | - Jana Lieberz
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany; (D.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Fine Stuhr-Wulff
- School of Psychological Science, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (F.S.-W.); (S.G.S.-T.)
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany;
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory
- School of Psychological Science, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (F.S.-W.); (S.G.S.-T.)
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Goossens L, Victor C, Qualter P. Introduction to the special section on loneliness across the life span. International Journal of Behavioral Development 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/01650254211029719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We provide an overview of the topics included in the special section of the International Journal of Behavioral Development on Loneliness Across the Life Span. We highlight the use of a life span approach to understanding loneliness and the different methodological approaches adopted by researchers. This special issue contributes toward the development of a holistic research agenda addressing loneliness across the life course and away from a focus solely upon specific age groups such as adolescents, young adults, or older adults who have been the focus of most loneliness research until comparatively recently.
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