The DOI matches its Crossref record; 30 of the 31 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
“Anything From Making Out to Having Sex”: Men's Negotiations of Hooking Up and Friends With Benefits Scripts
Abstract
Popular media and academic literature often portray men as happy beneficiaries of nonrelational or casual sex--a view that is consistent with traditional notions of masculinity. This study examined the validity of this notion, using semistructured interviews to explore ways that 19 college-age men defined and enacted "hooking up" and "friends with benefits" scripts. Men's definitions reflected both standard and alternate conceptions of these scripts, and their experiences indicated variability in intentions and outcomes. Whereas a few men embraced the no-strings-attached nonrelational scripts, most rejected the script or enacted an amended version that allowed for greater relational connection. Further, their experiences were not all positive and were not all devoid of emotional connection. These alternative enactments challenge the pro-masculine, universally positive conceptualization of nonrelational sex portrayed in the media and in some empirical research.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“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 Epstein et al., 2009
Citations
Cites
(1998) · Sage eBooks · Cited by 38,631
From the New York Times Magazine
Minsky, & Hyman, P. (1979) · Cited by 6,899
The gender similarities hypothesis.
Hyde, J. S. (2005) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.60.6.581 · Cited by 3,084
Development of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory.
Mahalik, J. R., Locke, B. D., Ludlow, L. H., Diemer, M. A., Scott, R. P. J., Gottfried, M., & Freitas, G. (2003) · Psychology of Men & Masculinity · doi:10.1037/1524-9220.4.1.3 · Cited by 1,295
Gender differences in sexuality: A meta-analysis.
Oliver, M. B., & Hyde, J. S. (1993) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.114.1.29 · Cited by 1,134
Gender-role conflict scale: College men's fear of femininity
O’Neil, J. M., Helms, B. J., Gable, R., David, L., & Wrightsman, L. S. (1986) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/bf00287583 · Cited by 813
Paul, E. L., McManus, B., & Hayes, A. (2000) · Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224490009552023 · Cited by 648
No strings attached: The nature of casual sex in college students
Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., & Harper, M. S. (2006) · Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224490609552324 · Cited by 567
Women and gender: a feminist psychology
(1992) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.30-1231 · Cited by 529
The Forty-Nine Percent Majority: The Male Sex Role.
Scheff, J. H., Scheff, T. J., David, D. S., & Brannon, R. (1977) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2064860 · Cited by 469
Research works printed but not linked: 5
- Baxter S., 2004, The Sunday Times, 29
- Denizet-Lewis B., 2004, New York Times Magazine, 30
- Iggers J., 2004, Star Tribune, 5B
- Maticka-Tyndale E., 1997, Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 6, 317
- Rackl L., 2005, Chicago Sun-Times, 24
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–177 of 177
Gender, Sexual Agency, and Friends with Benefits Relationships
Jovanović, J., & Williams, J. C. (2017) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-017-9483-1 · Cited by 9
Queering Hookup Motives in a Diverse Sample of LGBTQ+ Young Adults
Snapp, S. D., Ching, T. H. W., Miranda-Ramirez, M. A., Gallik, C. L., Duenaz, U., & Watson, R. J. (2023) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2023.2183175 · Cited by 8
From Holding Hands to Having a Thing to Hooking Up: Framing Heterosexual Youth Relationships
Rowley, R. L., & Hertzog, J. L. (2016) · Marriage & Family Review · doi:10.1080/01494929.2016.1140104 · Cited by 11
Williams, C. D., & Harper, S. R. (2014) · Masculinities & Social Change · doi:10.4471/mcs.2014.55 · Cited by 8
Williams, L. R., & Russell, S. T. (2013) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-012-0043-3 · Cited by 8
The intimacies of young people’s sexual health and pleasure
Byron, P. (2016) · Journal of Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/13676261.2016.1217319 · Cited by 8
Daily diary study of adult men’s and women’s event-level sexual motivations and sexual behaviour
Hensel, D. J., He, F., Harezlak, J., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2016) · Sexual Health · doi:10.1071/sh16109 · Cited by 8
Examining Rules in Friends with Benefits Relationships
van Raalte, L. J., Bednarchik, L. A., Generous, M. A., & Mongeau, P. A. (2021) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02114-5 · Cited by 10
Tomsich, E. A., Schaible, L. M., Rennison, C. M., & Gover, A. R. (2013) · Criminal Justice Studies · doi:10.1080/1478601x.2013.842564 · Cited by 7
Friends with Benefits in Puerto Rican College Students
Quiñones, R., Martínez‐Taboas, A., Rodríguez-Gómez, J. R., & Pando, J. R. (2017) · Revista Interamericana de Psicología/Interamerican Journal of Psychology · doi:10.30849/rip/ijp.v51i1.68 · Cited by 7
Reback, C. J., Larkins, S., & Clark, K. A. (2018) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-018-9576-5 · Cited by 8
Reinventing the Squeal: Young New Zealand Women Negotiating Space in the Current Sexual Culture
Wright, L. (2012) · Open Access Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka (Figshare) · doi:10.26686/wgtn.16999864 · Cited by 5
“Have a Friend with Benefits, Whom off and on I See.” Friends with Benefits Relationships
Vanderheiden, E. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-45996-3_9 · Cited by 6
Mongeau, P. A., van Raalte, L. J., Generous, M. A., & Bednarchik, L. A. (2016) · Encyclopedia of Family Studies · doi:10.1002/9781119085621.wbefs500 · Cited by 6
“Becoming a Sugar Baby Will Change Your Life. Let’s Talk About How”: Sugar Dating Advice on Tumblr
Ellis, L. D., Patterson, C. L., & Walters, A. S. (2022) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-022-10024-4 · Cited by 5
College Men, Unplanned Pregnancy, and Marriage: What Do They Expect?
Olmstead, S. B., Koon, J. T., Puhlman, D. J., Pasley, K., & Fincham, F. D. (2012) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2012.692405 · Cited by 5
Olmstead, S. B. (2020) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01658-2 · Cited by 5
Multiple Casual Sex Scripts: Shared Beliefs about Behavior among Portuguese Emerging Adults
Luz, R. F., Pegado, A., Godinho, C. I. A., Pereira, C. R., & Alvarez, M. (2023) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2023.2172512 · Cited by 5
The Role of Feminism and Gender in Endorsement of Hookup Culture among Emerging Adults
Martino, R. M., Roberts, S. R., Maheux, A. J., Stout, C. D., & Choukas‐Bradley, S. (2024) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-024-02841-5 · Cited by 7
How LGBTQ+ Young Adults Navigate Personal Risk in App-Based Hookups: The Safety Spectrum Theory
Babcock, N., Zarate, J., Wang, S., Watson, R. J., Eaton, L. A., & Snapp, S. D. (2024) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-024-02864-y · Cited by 4
Relationship maintenance across platonic and non-platonic cross-sex friendships in emerging adults
Weger, H., Cole, M., & Akbulut, V. (2018) · The Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/00224545.2018.1439876 · Cited by 4
Scott, C. L., Carrillo, B., & Rivera, I. M. (2014) · Contemporary perspectives on family research · doi:10.1108/s1530-35352014000008a000 · Cited by 3
College Men's Involvement in Friends with Benefits Relationships.
Olmstead, S. B., Pasley, K., & Fincham, F. D. (2016) · College student journal · Cited by 3
Flores, J., Brake, C., Hood, C. O., & Badour, C. L. (2020) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2020.1819289 · Cited by 3
Sexuality and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood
Maheux, A. J., & Choukas‐Bradley, S. (2021) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190057008.003.0026 · Cited by 3
The rules of mature sex: Sexual scripts and the global challenge of rising STIs
Bowring, N., & Russell‐Bennett, R. (2023) · Health Marketing Quarterly · doi:10.1080/07359683.2023.2261799 · Cited by 3
Olmstead, S. B., McMahan, K. D., & Anders, K. M. (2024) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-024-02911-8 · Cited by 2
Związki Friends with Benefits — przegląd badań
Włodarczyk, E., & Chanduszko-Salska, J. (2014) · Via Medica Journals · Cited by 2
Scott, C. L., Hash, J., Stevens, P., & Tejada, T. (2016) · Contemporary perspectives on family research · doi:10.1108/s1530-353520160000010009 · Cited by 2
Punyanunt-Carter, N. M., Arias, V. S., Dibble, J. L., Drouin, M. A., Ouytsel, J. V., Martinez, R. J., & Wagner, T. R. (2024) · Journal of Social Psychology Research · doi:10.37256/jspr.3120243256 · Cited by 2
Saarenmaa, E. (2013) · Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja · Cited by 2
Negatywne aspekty związków friends with benefits
Włodarczyk, E., & Chanduszko-Salska, J. (2013) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cited by 2
AMIGOS CON BENEFICIOS Y ESTILOS DE AMOR
Serrán, H. G., Rodríguez, R. T., & Soriano, E. (2021) · MODULEMA Revista científica sobre Diversidad Cultural · doi:10.30827/modulema.v5i.22355 · Cited by 2
Мангоне, Э. (2021) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-64802-322-420251022 · Cited by 2
The Impact of Performance-Based Scripts on Men’s Sexual Communication to Peers
Jampel, J. D., & Addis, M. E. (2021) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-01980-3 · Cited by 1
Shulman, S., Yonatan‐Leus, R., & Seiffge‐Krenke, I. (2023) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075231186788 · Cited by 1
Prototypicality and Perception: Women’s Views on Vulvar Appearance and Personality
Allen, A., Brooks, T. R., & Reysen, S. (2025) · Journal of Psychosexual Health · doi:10.1177/26318318251390011 · Cited by 1
Hooking up in the Twenty-First Century
Marganski, A., & Fauth, K. (2013) · Sociology and Criminology-Open Access · doi:10.4172/2375-4435.1000102 · Cited by 1
Girls on the borderline : rewriting the rite of passage film
Steiner, E. (2011) · Royal Holloway Digital Repository (Royal Holloway University of London) · Cited by 1
The phenomenon of partner relationships in foreign psychological studies
Fedorova, T. A., & Zelikson, D. I. (2017) · Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology · doi:10.17759/jmfp.2017060108 · Cited by 1
Calzo, J. P. (2010) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan) · Cited by 1
Self-citationJacques‐Tiura, A. J. (2010) · Human Biology · Cited by 1
Gordon, S. L. (2013) · QSpace (Queen's University Library) · Cited by 1
Reading between the Lines: Cultural Sexual Scripts and Collegiate Sexual Behaviors
Yadlosky, L. B. (2015) · e-Publications@Marquette (Marquette University) · Cited by 1
The United States and Japan: A Cross Cultural Analysis of Gender Roles and Intimate Relationships
Strowhorn, & Percy, D. O. (2013)
Sakaluk, J. K. (2015) · KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas)
Gender, Meanings, and Casual Sex
England, P., & Bearak, J. (2013)
Nonrelationship sex and the college student population
White, M. L. (2013) · K-State Research Exchange (Kansas State University)
Friends with benefits: attuali prospettive di relazione
Pappalardo, D., Merafina, N., & Rossi, R. (2016) · RIVISTA DI SESSUOLOGIA CLINICA · doi:10.3280/rsc2016-001004
Picklesimer, S. (2016) · OpenCommons at University of Connecticut (University of Connecticut)
Online Sex Seeking: Beyond Digital Encounters
Haywood, C. (2018) · Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks · doi:10.1057/978-1-137-50683-2_6
Kto i z jakich powodów angażuje się w związek Friends with Benefits?
Chanduszko-Salska, J., & Włodarczyk, E. (2017) · Acta Universitatis Lodziensis Folia Psychologica · doi:10.18778/1427-969x.21.07
Te quiero… para una vez. Representaciones sociales del “sexo sin compromiso” en jóvenes mexicanos
Tejada, D. M. G., Hernández, E. B. R., López, T. M. T., & Martínez, S. L. M. (2018) · Sexualidad Salud y Sociedad (Rio de Janeiro) · doi:10.1590/1984-6487.sess.2018.28.07.a · Cited by 1
Mongeau, P. A., & Stein, J. B. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3765-1
Back on the market: Understanding heterosexual mature adult protective sexual behaviours
Bowring, N. (2020) · Queensland University of Technology · doi:10.5204/thesis.eprints.202020
Baltz, D. J. (2020) · OpenSIUC (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)
Volumen 5 - 2021 - MODULEMA (Completo)
MODULEMA, R. (2022) · MODULEMA Revista científica sobre Diversidad Cultural · doi:10.30827/modulema.v5i.23734
(2015) · Wiley-Blackwell eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781444344714.refs
Iveniuk, J., & Laumann, E. O. (2015) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-097086-8.35001-2
Mongeau, P. A., & Stein, J. B. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-19650-3_3765
Predicting Risky Sex From Gender, Self-Efficacy, and Attachment
Rizzo, A. J. (2013) · SHAREOK (University of Oklahoma; Oklahoma State University; Central Oklahoma University)
Exploring Research on Elevating Male’s Multiple Sexual Climaxes
Shih, C.-M., Huang, Y.-J., Lai, J.-C. M., & Hsieh, M.-Y. (2023) · IEEE International Conference on Electronic Communications, Internet of Things and Big Data (ICEIB) · doi:10.3390/engproc2023038031
“Have a Friend with Benefits, Whom off and on I See.” Friends with Benefits Relationships
Vanderheiden, E. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-76665-7_9-1
Ethical Sexual Regret in Men: A Discourse Analysis
Lamb, S., Anantharaman, A., Swanson, S. E., & Eiland, R. (2025) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-025-01564-8
Cubellis, M. A., Evans, D. N., & Schmuhl, M. A. (2025) · Criminal Justice Studies · doi:10.1080/1478601x.2025.2479784
Condom use in casual sexual relationship scripts
Alvarez, M., Luz, R. F., Pegado, A., Godinho, C. I. A., Baptista, B., & Pereira, C. R. (2025) · Psychology and Sexuality · doi:10.1080/19419899.2025.2518982
Her, Y., & Eekert, N. V. (2025) · Sociology Compass · doi:10.1111/soc4.70109
“Have a Friend with Benefits, Whom off and on I See.” Friends with Benefits Relationships
Vanderheiden, E. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-94512-0_9
Pre-exposure prophylaxis sorting among men who have sex with menPreprint
Jonas, K. J., & Martinez, J. E. (2019) · OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Friends with Benefits Among College Students
K, D. P. S. (2021) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-64802-322-420251018
Kuperberg, A., Daniels, B. D., Curington, C. V., & Lundquist, J. (2026) · Demographic Research · doi:10.4054/demres.2026.54.37
Fielder, R. L. (2013) · Syracuse University Libraries (Syracuse University)
Metadata
- Authors
- Epstein, M., Calzo, J. P., Smiler, A. P., & Ward, L. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- State University of New York (US)
- Corresponding author
- Epstein, Marina
- Venue
- Journal of Sex Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-09-24
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 414-424
- ISSN
- 0022-4499 (ISSN-L)
- 1559-8519
- OpenAlex
- W1985489051
- Cited by
- 177
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 32.47
- 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 (T32-HD007109-26, T32HD007109)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
- Keywords
- hooking up, friends with benefits, casual sex, masculinity, male sexual behavior, sexual scripts, emotional connection
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Courtship, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Sexual Partners, Midwestern United States, Negotiating, Homosexuality, Male, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
