Secular trends — qualitative findings
VIRUS
A range of relationship experiences were described during the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from no intimate interpersonal involvement to ongoing engagement in sex during the shelter-in-place period. Among those who were romantically involved or had friends who were romantically involved during the shelter-in-place period, sexual experiences varied widely. Axial codes are summarized in Table Axial code descriptions derived from the qualitative analysisFrom some, the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place period were described as not interfering with romantic and/or sexual relationships. In such cases, the COVID-19 and shelter-in-place period was described as an opportunity to get to know their partners better, and to share more time together. In some cases, the COVID-19 pandemic period altered family dynamics surrounding youth relationships. For example, one participant shared that “I mean we’ve gotten closer. When we were quarantined, my grandma actually let him be quarantined with us. And yeah, he’s been staying over a lot more ever since the quarantine’s been happening like the whole pandemic.” To maintain intimacy during the shelter-in-place period, other youths described using digital media platforms when physical contact/togetherness was not possible. One participant who was no longer in a relationship at the time of the interview described the dynamic of former romantic relationship during the COVID-19 pandemicWell me and my ex, we would like—We’d see each other once in a while but not every day, and like it would only be for like a certain amount of time and like we weren’t able to sit like really close together, we’d just have to like kind of sit near each other and like talk. Otherwise we’d just like text and stuff like that or call and call each other every day, text or like Snapchat and send pictures and whatnot, like anything. So like I’d text him and stuff like that always. Yeah, nothing really interesting, just texting and seeing each other once in a while.In contrast, other youth described the COVID-19 pandemic as making it difficult to continue romantic involvement and maintain intimacy. Several described their relationships ending during that period due to communication problems and infidelity, which they attributed to COVID-19. For instance, one participant described how “My friend…her boyfriend I think cheated on her during that and they’re back together now, but I remember like last summer he cheated on her because like I think she was in quarantine actually and then he like went to some party and hooked up with some chick.” Another youth described how “I can say that a lot of my friends definitely have told me at one point or another that they were either done with the person or they liked someone else or dating someone.”In addition, youth shared experiences about factors influencing romantic and/or sexual relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic such as concern for the wellbeing of others in their personal networks, and continued engagement in risk behaviors (going to parties and “hooking up”). Some youth expressed frustration about how others behaved irresponsibly by attending parties and engaging in risk taking behaviors that could have contributed to the spread of the virus, resulting in other people becoming sick. For example, one participant explained howMy friend…he lost his grandpa to COVID. And my friend, well my ex-best friend…they got together during COVID. Like one of their family members had COVID at the time anyways and I thought it was kind of like risky because they constantly were seeing each other and hugging each other and stuff like that.Another explained thatYeah, I just kinda sat there in awkward silence because like they both texted me at the same time and told me ‘Yeah, I’m with So-and-So now.’ I was like, ‘Oh, wait. Didn’t one of their family members have like COVID?’ They were like, ‘Yeah, but it’s okay. We don’t really see each other that often.’ I was like, ‘But you guys were around each other for the longest time and hugging and stuff like that.’ And they’re like, ‘Well we’re okay now.’ I was like, ‘Okay.’Some participants continued sexual activity, but described a shifting social context directly related to the conditions of the shelter-in-place period. One participant described how:In the beginning of COVID, we were all scared to even hang out with each other so I know that there wasn’t as much sexual, I feel like, or even, you know, romantic relationships with anyone. But towards the end, I noticed a lot more parties. I don’t go to parties myself, but yeah, I noticed a lot more parties.Another described how “Because it was like growing up here, you already did everything, you already explored the creeks and stuff, nothing to do but now you’re teenagers and that stuff is more accessible to get drunk and drugs and stuff so everybody started doing it.” In addition, participants who continued having sex with their partners sometimes did so by staying in the same residence during the shelter-in-place period. One participant described how: “A bunch of people I knew were shacking up with a new person every week.” These behaviors could lead to outcomes that could influence attrition patterns. For example, one participant described a friend who continued to engage in sex with her romantic partner during the shelter-in-place period and who became pregnant and had a child as a result.