Relationship impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions on young women and men in Durban and Soweto, South Africa

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15097742
AutoresKalysha Closson (0000-0002-2985-0610, University of British Columbia, autor de correspondencia), Campion Zharima (0000-0003-0286-1392, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa), T Michelle Kuchena (Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa), Janan Dietrich (0000-0002-1949-3138, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa), Janan J Dietrich, Gina Ogilvie (0000-0001-5783-4493, University of British Columbia), Anita Raj (0000-0002-8127-5123, Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of CA, San Diego, CA, US), Mags Beksinska (0000-0002-4169-4112, Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa), Angela Kaida (0000-0003-0329-1926, Simon Fraser University)
Año2024
Volumen26
Número6
Páginas734-746
Fecha de publicación2024-06-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2023.2243300
PMID37584715
OpenAlexW4385851277
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas41

To deepen our understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intimate and/or sexual relationships, we conducted a qualitative study among 26 South African women and men aged 21-30 years in Durban and Soweto between September 2020 and March 2021. Overall, 13 women and 12 men who had been in an intimate and/or sexual relationship since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were asked about the impact of COVID-19 on their relationships with their current or most recent primary partners. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The three most common impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on relationships were on (i) communication and connection; (ii) strained relationships; and (iii) job and economic loss. Both women and men discussed how COVID-19-related lockdowns provided opportunities to foster better communication, connection and support to one another. However, too little or too much time together strained relationships. Finally, income loss among young men meant that some young women became the primary income earner, changing relationship power dynamics. Findings highlight the importance of young people's relationships and the need for action to support young people in building positive relationships in challenging times

Geography · Human sexuality · Pandemic · Political science · Qualitative research · Reflexivity · Sexual relationship · Social science · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Demography · Gender Studies · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology