Multiple Casual Sex Scripts: Shared Beliefs about Behavior among Portuguese Emerging Adults

Abstract

Objective: Empirical research to differentiate casual sex scripts is still limited. We aimed to ascertain the sexual scripts for three main types of casual sexual relationships: hookup, friends with benefits and one-night stands. Methods: Through a mixed-method approach, we performed a study consisting in two sequential tasks to (1) complete three lists of script actions, and (2) identify the most agreed-upon actions for each casual sexual relationship. Results: An important number of actions and events were identified for the three casual sexual scripts, reflecting a high level of elaboration and structure. Following a cognitive-script methodology, the actions retained for the content of the script for each casual sexual relationship were those obtaining at least 60% in respect to the mean of their centrality to the encounter. Only 16.5% of actions were shared among the three scripts, demonstrating their distinctiveness. Conclusion: Knowledge about the different casual sex scripts can be used to develop relational and personal skills within CSRs and decrease unwanted experiences such as condomless sex.

Condom use across casual and committed relationships: The role of relationship characteristics

“…Moreover, most current relationships or relationships held over the year before the survey were identified by participants as being committed type of relationships, with most of these being long-term (i.e., with a duration of more than 1 year). These results also align with those from previous studies conducted with emerging adults from the same cultural background (e.g., [ 37 , 38 ]), which did not find evidence for a hookup culture [ 84 , 85 ], a phenomenon that has been identified mostly in the campuses of North American universities, configurating a change in relational practices associated with a decline in committed type of relationships and an increase in casual sexual encounters, that became normative [ 86 , 87 ]. This calls attention to the relevance of studying relational and sexual practices in different cultures and for the need of interventions in this area to be culturally sensitive.…”

“…Casual sexual relationships (CSRs) proved to be multiple and complex relationships, ranging from one-time, unplanned encounters between strangers, such as one-night stands , to ongoing but impersonal and utilitarian encounters, as booty calls , to sexual encounters that take place between friends with no intention of becoming partners in a relationship, as in friends with benefits (e.g., [ 31 – 34 ]). Different relationship scripts, i.e., the mental representations that guide expectations about the events and sequence of actions in a relationship, have also been found to be distinct across different CSRs [ 35 – 37 ]. One-night stand script usually involves flirting, spontaneity, emotional detachment, and a social context frequently involving the consumption of alcohol or other substances and where peers act as facilitators for the encounter, while rules are at the cornerstone of friends with benefits and hookup , that must be set in order to maintain the uncommitted nature of the relationship, with no obligations involved between the partners, despite the repetition of encounters, preventing the development of romantic feelings [ 37 ].…”

“…Different relationship scripts, i.e., the mental representations that guide expectations about the events and sequence of actions in a relationship, have also been found to be distinct across different CSRs [ 35 – 37 ]. One-night stand script usually involves flirting, spontaneity, emotional detachment, and a social context frequently involving the consumption of alcohol or other substances and where peers act as facilitators for the encounter, while rules are at the cornerstone of friends with benefits and hookup , that must be set in order to maintain the uncommitted nature of the relationship, with no obligations involved between the partners, despite the repetition of encounters, preventing the development of romantic feelings [ 37 ].…”

“…This is the case among CSR partners who are friends or ex-romantic partners, where different affectionate behaviors (such as cuddling, foreplay, and spending the night) and levels of emotional and sexual exclusiveness and sexual satisfaction may be present [ 33 , 34 , 38 – 40 ]. Knowledge on the relational processes involved in different types of CSRs is still limited, but the few quantitative studies comparing different CSRs point to relevant differences according to these characteristics (e.g., [ 37 – 39 ]). CSRs proved to be distinct in relation to emotional and sexual involvement, repetition, commitment, exclusivity, premeditation, and partner acquaintance.…”