No strings attached: The nature of casual sex in college students
Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to identify the circumstances associated with casual sex encounters, as well as to identify the link between casual sex, depressive symptoms, and infidelity among college students. We found that casual sex was a fairly common occurrence that was related to early sexual transition, engaging in first sex with a casual sex partner, drug use and alcohol consumption. Casual sex occurred more often between "friends" rather than with strangers. Depressive symptoms were associated with engaging in casual sex differently for males and females. Males who engaging in casual sex reported the fewest symptoms of depression and females who had a history of casual sex reported the most depressive symptoms. Frequencies of affectionate and genital behaviors were associated with expectations of the relationship, the relationship to the partner, infidelity, and the individual's relationship style. Results are discussed in light of evolutionary and socio-cultural theories of sexuality.
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Hookup rates in our sample were somewhat lower than the 70-75% rate found in prior research.
“Hookup rates were somewhat lower than the 70-75% rate found in prior research”
From The role of culture in explaining college students’ selection into hookups, dates, and long-term romantic relationships (2016) · cites this paper as Grello et al., 2006
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- Authors
- Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., & Harper, M. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
- Queens University of Charlotte (US)
- ORCID
- Welsh, Deborah P.
- Venue
- Journal of Sex Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-08
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 255-267
- ISSN
- 0022-4499 (ISSN-L)
- 1559-8519
- OpenAlex
- W2075741534
- Cited by
- 567
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 53 · 2013: 55 · 2012: 43
- FWCI
- 38.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Sex Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD039931, HD39931)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Keywords
- casual sex, university students, depressive symptoms, infidelity, sexual transition, alcohol consumption, drug use, gender differences, relationship expectations, relationship styles
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Contraception Behavior, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Partners, Students, Condoms, Safe Sex, Unsafe Sex
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