How the Covid-19 pandemic affected relationships, connectedness, and suicidality among asexual spectrum adults.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 on personal and social relationships was considerable. Specifically, social distancing, meant to prevent disease spread, may have adversely impacted personal and social relationships. Suicidal ideation has been found to be more likely due to various health factors, including the isolation that was a result of the pandemic itself. While sex and gender minorities are often studied as a group, it is unknown whether the pandemic adversely affected the relationships and connectedness to others among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. Further, how might these effects have increased or decreased their risk of suicidality?

Methods: Data from the 2022 Ace Community Survey was analyzed. Questions specifically pertaining to COVID-19 and the effects it had on relationship desire, as well as connectedness to others were assessed, along with suicidality, among adults identifying on the asexual spectrum.

Results: Those with an increased desire for queerplatonic relationships had a greater risk of both thoughts and attempts of suicide. Asexual individuals who felt less connected to parents, other family, and roommates had a greater risk of suicidal thoughts. However, those who felt more connected with mental health workers and healthcare professionals had an increased risk of thoughts and attempts of suicide. The more educated an asexual spectrum adult, the less likely they were to be suicidal.

Conclusions: Relationships and connectivity among asexual spectrum adults were adversely affected by the pandemic, resulting in increased risk of suicidality. Creating ways to foster relationships among this population are important in advance of the next pandemic to ensure greater health and well-being.