Desire and motivation for parenthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparison of cis-gender minoritized sexual identities with cis-heterosexual individuals living in Germany

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe and is associated with significant clinical and humanitarian burden. Indeed, the SARS-COV 2 virus has impacted on society asymmetrically: Marginalized social minority groups, such as individuals who do not exclusively sexually identify as heterosexual, represent a vulnerable population in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. While higher rates of anxiety and depression have been reported in individuals with minoritized sexual identities (compared to heterosexual individuals) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the specific impact of the pandemic and its social restriction measures on this population is poorly understood. Methods From April to July 2020, we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey online among N = 2463 adults living in Germany. We screened for depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-4; PHQ-4) and assessed individuals’ desire for parenthood during the pandemic, and motives for or against the desire for parenthood (Leipzig questionnaire on motives for having a child, Version 20; LKM-20), with the aim of identifying differences between individuals with minoritized sexual identities and heterosexual individuals. Results Compared to heterosexual individuals (n = 1304), individuals with minoritized sexual identities (n = 831) indicated higher levels of depressive symptoms. In our study sample the majority of all participants’ (81.9%) reported no change in the desire for parenthood since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ranking of the motives for parenthood did not change since the pandemic in heterosexuals and individuals with minoritized sexual identities. Nevertheless, both subgroups scored lower in all motives compared to the time before the pandemic. Conclusions The findings underline the unmet need for social, psychological and medical support in regard to family planning and the desire for parenthood during the pandemic. Furthermore, future research should explore COVID-19-related psychological consequences on individuals’ desire for parenthood and building a family.