Trends in Frequency of Sexual Activity and Number of Sexual Partners Among Adults Aged 18 to 44 Years in the US, 2000-2018
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Repeated cross-sectional survey design (graded by design analogy for observational survey research)
OpenAlex W3035366331 · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3833
What was done
The authors analyzed repeated cross-sectional data from 10 rounds of the General Social Survey (2000-2018), a nationally representative US survey of adults aged 18 to 44 years. The study evaluated past-year sexual frequency (n = 4291 men, 5213 women) and past-year number of sexual partners (n = 4372 men, 5377 women) separately by sex. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate time trends and associations with sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, income, and employment.
What was found
Between 2000-2002 and 2016-2018, past-year sexual inactivity rose among 18- to 24-year-old men from 18.9% to 30.9% (age-adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for trend across survey periods, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39), with no significant trend among 18- to 24-year-old women (15.1% vs 19.1%; aOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.89-1.18). Among adults aged 25 to 34 years, inactivity increased in both men (7.0% vs 14.1%; aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.42) and women (7.0% vs 12.6%; aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.35), but no change occurred in those aged 35 to 44 years. Weekly or more frequent sex declined among men aged 18 to 24 (51.8% vs 37.4%; aOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99), men aged 25 to 34 (65.3% vs 50.3%; aOR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81-0.94), women aged 25 to 34 (66.4% vs 54.2%; aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84-0.96), married men (71.1% vs 57.7%; aOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.93), and married women (69.1% vs 60.9%; aOR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99). Inactivity was more common among unmarried men, men with lower income (aOR for income >=$50,000 vs $0-$9999, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.90), part-time or unemployed men (aOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.48-2.93), and male (aOR, 2.94; 95% CI, 2.06-4.21) and female students (aOR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.68-3.35).
Why it matters
This study provides population-level evidence of a substantial decline in sexual activity among young American adults over nearly two decades, concentrated particularly among young, unmarried, and socioeconomically disadvantaged men.
Limits
The study relies on self-reported sexual behavior, which may be subject to recall and social desirability biases. Survey response rates ranged from 59.5% to 71.4%, introducing possible non-response bias. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality regarding sociodemographic or economic determinants.
Cited by
- supports Members of the current younger generation consume less alcohol, have less sex, and live with their parents longer compared to previous generations at the same age.