The DOI matches its Crossref record; 42 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
What’s love got to do with it? Exploring the impact of maintenance rules, love attitudes, and network support on friends with benefits relationships
Abstract
Friends with benefits relationships (FWBRs) are defined as relationships between cross‐sex friends in which the friends engage in sexual activity but do not define their relationship as romantic. Relationship scholars have only recently begun to examine these relationships, despite their mention in the popular media (e.g., HBO's ‘Sex in the City,’ MTV's ‘True Life,’ ‘Seinfeld,’ and the New York Times). This study explored the relationship between FWBRs and maintenance rules, love attitudes, and network communication and support. Respondents (N = 143) completed self‐report surveys in which they described their FWBRs, their perceived rules for maintenance, perceptions of same‐sex network communication and support, and the current status of their FWBRs. They also completed the short form of the love attitude scale (Hendrick, Hendrick, & Dicke, Citation1998). The findings suggest that people tend to communicate their FWBR experiences to their same‐sex friends and, in general, receive supportive responses. Although attitudes toward love (e.g., agape) did not impact rules for maintenance of FWBRs, attitudes toward love did influence motivations for FWBRs and the outcomes of these relationships.
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
“Some features of romantic and sexual relationships (e.g., poor quality relationships, breakups) are strongly associated with adolescent mental health outcomes.(113) This ranges from depressive symptoms, particularly in girls,(109,114) to self-harm and suicide risk.(115–117)”
From Puberty Initiates Cascading Relationships Between Neurodevelopmental, Social, and Internalizing Processes Across Adolescence (2021) · cites this paper as [109]
In the citing paper
“Particularly for girls, romantic relationships are initially associated with increased internalizing symptoms, because they are new and stressful experiences.(109)”
From Puberty Initiates Cascading Relationships Between Neurodevelopmental, Social, and Internalizing Processes Across Adolescence (2021) · cites this paper as [109]
Citations
Cites
Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions
Fleiss, J. L., Levin, B., & Paik, M. C. (2003) · Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics · doi:10.1002/0471445428 · Cited by 18,646
Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions.
Everitt, B. S., & Fleiss, J. L. (1981) · Biometrics · doi:10.2307/2530193 · Cited by 9,034
The Social Psychology of Groups
Kenkel, W. F., Thibaut, J. W., & Kelley, H. H. (1959) · The American Catholic Sociological Review · doi:10.2307/3709294 · Cited by 5,899
Research in Organizational Behavior
Chatman, J. A., & Kray, L. J. (2020) · Research in Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.riob.2021.100134 · Cited by 4,201
Advances in Personal Relationships
Hall, J. A. (2020) · Cited by 1,978
The Social Psychology of Groups.
Hare, A. P., Thibaut, J. W., & Kelley, H. H. (1960) · American Sociological Review · doi:10.2307/2092954 · Cited by 1,566
Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, 1972
Scott, J. P., Cole, J. K., & Jensen, D. D. (1974) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/1421396 · Cited by 1,421
Values, attitudes, and interpersonal behavior.
Triandis, H. C. (1980) · PubMed · Cited by 1,414
Hendrick, C., & Hendrick, S. S. (1986) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.50.2.392 · Cited by 1,028
Maintenance strategies and romantic relationship type, gender and relational characteristics
Stafford, L., & Canary, D. J. (1991) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407591082004 · Cited by 860
Research works printed but not linked: 6
- Asada KJK Hughes M Morrison K (2003) Motivations and barriers to friends with benefits relationships Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association San Diego CA
- David L (writer) Cherones T (director) (1991) The deal [television series episode] Seinfeld New York: National Broadcasting Company
- Lee JA (1973) The colors of love: An exploration of the ways of loving Don Mills Ontario Canada New Press
- Levine TR Aune KS Korallus S (1994) The effects of love styles on relational initiation and intensification strategies Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Sydney, Australia
- Mongeau PA Ramirez A Vorrell M (2003, February) Friends with benefits: Initial explorations of sexual, non‐romantic relationships Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Communication Association, Salt Lake City, UT
- West L Anderson J Duck S (1996) Crossing the barriers to friendships between men and women In J. T. Wood (Ed.) Gendered relationships (pp. 111–127) Mountain View CA Mayfield Publishing Company
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–174 of 174
“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
Stein, J. B., Mongeau, P. A., Posteher, K. A., & Veluscek, A. M. (2019) · The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality · doi:10.3138/cjhs.2018-0045 · Cited by 7
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
Is Pornography Consumption Related to Risky Behaviors During Friends with Benefits Relationships?
Henderson, E., Aaron, S. C., Blackhurst, Z., Maddock, M., Fincham, F. D., & Braithwaite, S. R. (2020) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.08.017 · Cited by 4
Motivations and Relationship Quality of Friends with Benefits Relationships Among Emerging Adults
Giorgi, O. (2013) · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · Cited by 4
Stein, A. (2011) · Contemporary Psychoanalysis · doi:10.1080/00107530.2011.10746442 · Cited by 4
Merriam-Pigg, L. K. (2012) · doi:10.31979/etd.hck5-wytw · 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
Letcher, A., Carmona, J., Ramsay‐Seaner, K., & Hoffman, M. S. (2022) · Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness · doi:10.34296/03021050 · Cited by 3
Affective Self-Regulation After Relationship Dissolution
LeFebvre, L. E., & Rasner, R. D. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197524718.013.26 · Cited by 3
Information and Communication Technologies and You: Multimedia Relationship Maintenance
Hales, K. D. (2009) · Cited by 3
Metts, S. (2015) · The International Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Communication · doi:10.1002/9781118540190.wbeic090 · Cited by 3
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
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0004 · 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
Dilatush, C., Joseph, S., & Murray, C. S. (2011) · Cited by 2
Williams, K. M. (2012) · Qualitative Research Reports in Communication · doi:10.1080/17459435.2012.719205 · Cited by 2
Saarenmaa, E. (2013) · Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja · Cited by 2
Studi Fenomenologi: Pengalaman Friends with Benefits pada Pengguna Tinder
Gladyshavira, W. (2021) · Buletin Riset Psikologi dan Kesehatan Mental (BRPKM) · doi:10.20473/brpkm.v1i1.27006 · Cited by 2
Sex at Sea: Undergraduates’ Perceptions of Sexual Relationships During Their Semester at Sea Voyage
Wilder, S., & Scott, C. L. (2022) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-022-09980-8 · Cited by 2
Symulowana intymność w relacjach typu „friends with benefits”
Bieńko, M. (2019) · Fabrica Societatis · doi:10.19195/fs.19.2.8.25 · Cited by 2
Emmett, M. C. (2008) · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research · 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
What Is It Like to Be an Emerging Adult?
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0002 · Cited by 2
Mongeau, P. A., & Knight, K. (2015) · The International Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Communication · doi:10.1002/9781118540190.wbeic096 · Cited by 2
Lemmetty, K. (2015) · Knowledge Commons (Lakehead University) · Cited by 2
It’s not just about sex: Asexual identity and intimate relationship practices
Maxwell, D. (2017) · White Rose eTheses Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) · Cited by 2
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0008 · 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
Olmstead, S. B., LeFebvre, L. E., & Allen, M. R. (2026) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-026-03426-0 · Cited by 1
How Important Is Social Class?
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0010 · Cited by 1
Sometimes Goodbye Is a Second Chance
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0012 · Cited by 1
From Conflict to Companionship
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0003 · Cited by 1
Open to More: Queer Hookups, Temporalities, and Life Courses
Kampler, B. (2022) · Sociological Forum · doi:10.1111/socf.12857 · Cited by 1
Zafarani, L. R., & Fatanti, M. N. (2023) · MUKADIMAH Jurnal Pendidikan Sejarah dan Ilmu-ilmu Sosial · doi:10.30743/mkd.v7i2.7586 · Cited by 1
Sexual double standard in friends with benefits relationships: A literature review
Marques, A. S., de Oliveira, J. M., & Nogueira, C. (2024) · Women s Studies International Forum · doi:10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102940 · Cited by 6
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0011 · Cited by 1
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0006 · Cited by 1
Standby Lovers: A Typology and Theoretical Investigation of Back Burner Relational Maintenance
Borzea, D. (2021) · doi:10.33915/etd.8046 · Cited by 1
(2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.002.0008 · Cited by 1
Edwards, G. L. (2010) · Murdoch University Research Portal
An Analysis of College-aged Women’s Personal Relations
Hamilton, A. (2010) · Roger Williams University - Digital Commons (Roger Williams University)
Malone, D. M. (2014) · UKnowledge (University of Kentucky)
"Friends with benefits": En fenomenologisk studie over seksuelle relasjoner mellom venner
Karlsen, M. (2011) · NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives
Uncertainty reduction strategies in casual sexual relationships among college age women
Finley, K. D. (2012) · ThinkTech (Texas Tech University)
In Search of Pleasure: An Exploration of Teenage Recreational Sex
Reichstein, L. (2012) · OakTrust (Texas A&M University Libraries)
Nonrelationship sex and the college student population
White, M. L. (2013) · K-State Research Exchange (Kansas State University)
DIVERSITY OF SEXUAL EXPERIENCE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS: THE ROLE OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Claxton, S. E. (2012) · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network)
Friends with benefits: attuali prospettive di relazione
Pappalardo, D., Merafina, N., & Rossi, R. (2016) · RIVISTA DI SESSUOLOGIA CLINICA · doi:10.3280/rsc2016-001004
Akbulut, V. (2009) · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research
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
Mongeau, P. A., & Stein, J. B. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3765-1
Lyons, H. A., & Sanders, G. (2021) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190057008.003.0006
Volumen 5 - 2021 - MODULEMA (Completo)
MODULEMA, R. (2022) · MODULEMA Revista científica sobre Diversidad Cultural · doi:10.30827/modulema.v5i.23734
Conceptualizing the Friendzone Phenomenon
LeFebvre, L. E., Rasner, R. D., Kickert, C.-J., McLelland, B., Owen, E., & Iyer, A. (2022) · Imagination Cognition and Personality · doi:10.1177/02762366221077416
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0005
Arnett, J. J. (2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.003.0009
Mongeau, P. A., & Stein, J. B. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-19650-3_3765
A Few Strings Attached: Face Management Strategies for Escalating Casual Sexual Relationships
Alexopoulos, C., Hall, E. D., & Huang-Isherwood, K. M. (2022) · Communication Reports · doi:10.1080/08934215.2022.2123949
Sociosexual Orientation and Relationship Satisfaction among College Students
-, N. M. J., -, M. D. P., & -, R. M. K. (2024) · International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research · doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i02.14463
(2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.002.0005
(2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.002.0006
(2014) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.002.0003
“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
Cubellis, M. A., Evans, D. N., & Schmuhl, M. A. (2025) · Criminal Justice Studies · doi:10.1080/1478601x.2025.2479784
Gambaran Disonansi Kognitif Pada Individu Yang Menjalani Hubungan Friends With Benefits (Fwb)
Stari, C. N., & Christanti, D. (2025) · Cerdika Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia · doi:10.59141/cerdika.v5i7.2758
“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
Rules in Friends with Benefits Relationships in Established Adulthood
van Raalte, L. J., & LeFebvre, L. E. (2026) · Western Journal of Communication · doi:10.1080/10570314.2026.2618785
Types, Patterns of Romantic Relationships and Dating Delays among Urban Indian Emerging Adults
Pooja, & Bhatia, S. (2026) · Space and Culture India · doi:10.20896/8e19j933
Blake, M. E., Bishop, H. K. D., & Claxton, S. E. (2026) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1177/21676968261464240
Noland, C. M. (2026) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-026-10625-3
Metadata
- Authors
- Hughes, M., Morrison, K., & Asada, K. J. K.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- ORCID
- Morrison, Kelly
- Venue
- Western Journal of Communication
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-01
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 49-66
- ISSN
- 1057-0314 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-1027
- OpenAlex
- W1982529238
- Cited by
- 174
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 3.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Western Journal of Communication (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Keywords
- friends with benefits, attitudes toward love, agape, social support, relationship motivation, relationship outcomes
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