Internet Addiction and Polish Women’s Sexual Functioning: The Role of Social Media, Online Pornography, and Game Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Online Surveys Based on FSFI and BSMAS Questionnaires

Anna Pawlikowska, Ewa Szuster, Paulina Kostrzewska, Amanda Mandera, Małgorzata Biernikiewicz, Małgorzata Sobieszczańska, Krystyna Rożek-Piechura, Monika Markiewicz, Agnieszka Rusiecka and Dariusz Kałka
Additional contact information
Anna Pawlikowska: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Ewa Szuster: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Paulina Kostrzewska: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Amanda Mandera: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Małgorzata Biernikiewicz: Studio Słowa, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland
Małgorzata Sobieszczańska: Clinical Department of Geriatrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-369 Wroclaw, Poland
Krystyna Rożek-Piechura: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Monika Markiewicz: Men’s Health Centre in Wrocław, 53-151 Wroclaw, Poland
Agnieszka Rusiecka: Statistical Analysis Centre, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
Dariusz Kałka: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-9

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the relationship between social media use and women’s sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected between April and November 2021. Online surveys including the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) questionnaires were distributed to young, sexually active women. Information was collected on their demographics, sexual life, and use of social media. We enrolled 546 women (mean age 23.07 ± 4.69). In general, 5.68% of the women were at high risk of social media addiction. Social media addiction had a negative impact on FSFI scores, while pornography use had a positive effect on women’s sexual functioning. Users of dating apps also obtained lower FSFI scores than non-users. No differences in FSFI scores were observed between gamers and non-gamers. The impact of time spent on social media on FSFI scores was not significant. We conclude that social media addiction negatively affected women’s sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: social media; FSFI; BSMAS; sexual activity; female (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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