Short-Term Positive and Negative Consequences of Sex Based on Daily Reports Among College Students

Abstract

Because sexual behavior may be associated with a broader range of outcomes than physical consequences like sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, it is important to understand consequences of sex that may influence mental and social well-being in emerging adulthood. This article describes the short-term intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences reported by college students on days they engage in vaginal sex and what factors predict experiencing particular consequences. Data are from first-year college students who reported vaginal sex on at least 1 of 28 sampled days (M age=18.5 years; 53% female; 30% Hispanic/Latino (HL); of non-HL, 30% African American, 22% Asian American, 35% European American and 12% Multiracial; N=209 people; N=679 person days). Participants reported positive consequences more frequently than negative consequences. Non-use of contraception and sex with a non-dating partner were associated with greater odds of reporting negative consequences. These findings have implications for messages about casual sex and use of contraception in sex education and sexual health programming.

Sociosexual Attitudes, Sociosexual Behaviors, and Alcohol Use

“…In one study, 81% of undergraduate participants reported engaging in hookups, with 34% engaging in sexual intercourse (Reiber & Garcia, 2010). Although casual sex and other varieties of hookups may be viewed as culturally normative in emerging adulthood, they come with a host of negative consequences including sexual assaults, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (Chesson et al, 2003;Corbin & Fromme, 2002;Garcia et al, 2012;Perkins, 2002;Vasilenko et al, 2012). Given that emerging adulthood is characterized by increased involvement in romantic and sexual relationships as well as heavier drinking, it is not surprising that these risk behaviors are significantly correlated at the global level (for a review, see Cooper, 2006; for a meta-analytic review, see Claxton et al, 2015).…”

Casual Sex: Integrating Social, Behavioral, and Sexual Health Research

“…In addition to the mental health impact, commonly cited adverse effects include unintended/ unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and sexual victimization (Claxton and van Dulmen 2013;Heldman and Wade 2010;Vasilenko et al 2012). For those who have casual sex, in addition to potentially experiencing an adverse health effect, there is the added burden of worrying about these negative health effects.…”

“…For those who have casual sex, in addition to potentially experiencing an adverse health effect, there is the added burden of worrying about these negative health effects. For example, Vasilenko et al (2012) found that female college students had almost three times greater odds of worrying about their health when they had sex with an uncommitted partner as compared to a dating partner. This kind of worrying likely results in negative perceptions that probably reduces the possible positive affect of sexual encounters.…”

“…The possibility of becoming pregnant is a common fear associated with sexual activity among heterosexually active emerging adults (Vasilenko et al 2012) and frequently supersedes concern regarding STIs and HIV/AIDS during casual sex (Kalish 2013;Milhausen et al 2013). According to the National Survey on Family Growth, 57 % of adolescent females and 46 % of adolescent males reported they would be "very upset" if they were to become pregnant at this point in their life (Martinez et al 2011).…”

The Association Between Sexual Health and Physical, Mental, and Social Health in Adolescent Women

“…12,13 Such findings are echoed in emerging adults, among whom sexual enjoyment and sexual satisfaction are linked to higher quality daily interpersonal interactions, increased autonomy and improved empathy. 14,15 Similar work in adolescents, however, is mixed -some studies suggest that sexuality, sexual experience and relationships are associated with both higher and lower levels of health and well-being, while other studies show no relationship. [16][17][18] One explanation for this conflicting set of findings among adolescents is that most studies only examine the impact of one or two single sexual health indicators rather than a full set of healthy sexual development measures, as predictors of health.…”