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Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Natalie L. Edelman

    (School of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN1 9PH, UK
    Primary Care & Public Health, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • T. Charles Witzel

    (Institute for Global Health, University College London, London NW2 2QG, UK
    Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Phil Samba

    (Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK
    PrEPster, The Love Tank, London E1 4AQ, UK)

  • Will Nutland

    (Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK
    PrEPster, The Love Tank, London E1 4AQ, UK)

  • Tom Nadarzynski

    (School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1B 2HW, UK)

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore mental well-being, circumstances and strategies around managing sexual intimacy and risk during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown (Spring 2020) among men and gender diverse people who have sex with men (MGDPSM), commencing while lockdown was in progress. n = 1429 MGDPSM completed the survey and 14 undertook an in-depth interview. Low mental well-being was reported by 49.6% of the survey participants. Low mental well-being was not predicted by relationship and living circumstance, sexual networking app use, or by casual sexual partners. Low mental well-being was associated with more frequent COVID-19 anxiety (OR = 5.08 CI: 3.74, 6.88 p < 0.001) and with younger age (18–24 years OR = 2.23 CI:1.41–3.53 p = 0.001, 25–34 years OR = 1.45 CI:1.04–2.02 p = 0.029, 35–44 years OR = 1.41 CI:1.00–1.99 p = 0.052). The interview participants understood their lockdown experiences as being relative to normalcy, and those experiencing more dramatic changes faced greater challenges. Living with partners was felt to protect well-being. Many participants reported intimacy interruption challenges. The findings indicate that mental well-being is predicted by age and COVID-19 impact, highlighting opportunities for targeting MGDPSM who are most vulnerable to poor mental health. Services that support MGDPSM during COVID-19 recovery efforts must provide non-judgemental and affirming support.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalie L. Edelman & T. Charles Witzel & Phil Samba & Will Nutland & Tom Nadarzynski, 2022. "Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:6985-:d:833378
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Forte & Francesca Favieri & Renata Tambelli & Maria Casagrande, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic in the Italian Population: Validation of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire and Prevalence of PTSD Symptomatology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-14, June.
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