Sexual Hookups and Adverse Health Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study of First-Year College Women

Abstract

“Hookups” are sexual encounters between partners who are not in a romantic relationship and do not expect commitment. We examined the associations between sexual hookup behavior and depression, sexual victimization (SV), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among first-year college women. In this longitudinal study, 483 women completed 13 monthly surveys assessing oral and vaginal sex with hookup and romantic partners, depression, SV, and self-reported STIs. Participants also provided biological specimens that were tested for STIs. During the study, 50% of participants reported hookup sex, and 62% reported romantic sex. Covariates included previous levels of the outcome, alcohol use, impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and romantic sex. Autoregressive cross-lagged models showed that controlling for covariates, hookup behavior during college was correlated with depression, Bs = .21, ps < .05, and SV, Bs = .19, ps < .05. Additionally, pre-college hookup behavior predicted SV early in college, B = .62, p < .05. Hookup sex, OR 1.32, p < .05, and romantic sex, OR 1.19, p < .05, were associated with STIs. Overall, sexual hookup behavior among college women was positively correlated with experiencing depression, SV, and STIs, but the nature of these associations remains unclear, and hooking up did not predict future depression.

Hooking Up as an Individualistic Practice: A Double-Edged Sword for College Women

“…Broadly speaking, research finds that the benefits of the practice for young women tend to be characterized by various forms of self-growth, autonomy, and self-gratification. These different types of self-enhancement include sexual exploration, the opportunity to prioritize self-development goals of education and career, greater sexual freedom (e.g., to have multiple partners, to act on sexual desire), sexual pleasure without the constraints of romantic commitment, peer approval, perceived empowerment, sexual validation, enjoyment, happiness, pride, and excitement (Armstrong et al 2010b;Bisson and Levine 2007;England et al 2008;Fielder et al 2014;Freitas 2008;Glenn and Marquardt 2001;Hamilton and Armstrong 2009;Kalish and Kimmel 2011;Lewis et al 2012;Lyons et al 2014;Owen and Fincham 2011;Owen et al 2008;Paul and Hayes 2002;Reid et al 2011). In contrast, the costs of hooking up for young women can be generally characterized in terms of various forms of sexual and romantic alienation, sexual health problems, and exploitation and mistreatment.…”

Psychological Well-Being as a Predictor of Casual Sex Relationships and Experiences among Adolescents: A Short-Term Prospective Study

“…In this sense, our preliminary analysis supported the practice of analyzing suicidal ideation and psychological distress separately, given that they were not highly correlated. Girls who have had suicidal ideation in their lifetime could have been more socially isolated from their peers (Bearman & Moody, 2004) and might engage in CSREs to build connections with others (Fielder et al, 2014;Owen et al 2011). Girls may maintain ONSs to cope with their history of suicidal ideation.…”

Precollege Predictors of Incapacitated Rape Among Female Students in Their First Year of College

“…Alcohol-sex expectancies are associated with more frequently engaging in sex outside of a committed relationship (White et al, 2009), and having more sexual partners increases the odds of encountering a risky situation or a potential perpetrator (Franklin, 2010). Interventions that address sexual practices such as hookups, which often involve ambiguous cues regarding behavioral intentions and situational features that increase risk (Fielder et al, 2013) and have been linked to sexual victimization in prospective analyses (Fielder et al, 2014), are warranted.…”

“…At baseline, 94% of participants were 18 years old (range: 18-21); 69% identified as White, 11% as Asian, 8% as Black, 13% as other or multiple races, and 8% as Hispanic; 36% were in a committed relationship, and 96% reported their sexual orientation as heterosexual. Participants did not differ from the larger student body on racial/ethnic and socioeconomic variables (see Fielder et al, 2014).…”

“…Participants were 483 first-year female undergraduates at a private university in the Northeast who were participating in a larger study of health behaviors and relationships specific to first-year women, called the Women's Health Project (Fielder et al, 2014). Our participants consisted of 26% of the incoming female class.…”