The level of sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction during second the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has unquestionably changed the lives of Polish people, creating anxiety and uncertainty. Life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction are subjective evaluations of life and the sexual sphere. Previous research indicates a relationship between sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate what level of sexual satisfaction was present during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account gender, sexual orientation, and relational status, and to examine the relationship between sexual satisfaction and life satisfaction.

Material and methods: There were 440 participants, aged between 18 and 40 (M = 24.31, SD = 4.90). The study was conducted online. The Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire developed by Dolińskia-Zygmunt and Nomejko was used to measure sexual satisfaction, while the Satisfaction with Life Scale developed by Diner et al. was used to measure subjective aspect of life satisfaction.

Results: Most of the respondents are satisfied with their life (33%) and sexual sphere (42%). Relationship status is important for the sense of both sexual and life satisfaction, while gender and sexual identity were not associated with any other variable. There is a positive correlation between life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction (r = 0.438, p <0.001). Regression analysis showed that significant predictors of life satisfaction are: sexual satisfaction (p <0.001) and relationship status. (p <0.001).

Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents self-rated their life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction highly, although being single can lower both types of satisfaction.

Keywords: COVID-19; life satisfaction; sexual satisfaction.