Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Psychological characteristics may predispose youths to engage in casual sex relationships and experiences (CSREs). Using a prospective longitudinal design and in a subsample of 2601 high school students in the province of Québec, we explored possible shifts in engaging in one-night stands (ONSs) and friends with benefits (FWB) relationships over a 6-month period among sexually active adolescents. We also examined the relationships among well-being predictors (psychological distress, self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and alcohol and drug consumption) and these shifts while exploring possible gender differences. Multinomial regressions in Mplus were used to explore whether initial psychological well-being was related to entrance type, the transition from having no CSREs to having one, or discontinuation or continuation type. Frequent alcohol consumption (i.e., once or twice a week or more) for boys and frequent consumption of both alcohol and drugs for girls were associated with continuation of CSREs. Suicidal ideation was associated with entrance into FWB relationships as well as continuation of FWB relationships and ONSs for girls. Psychological distress was a predictor of discontinuation of ONSs for boys. These results suggested that interventions should consider the specific and common needs of both genders in regard to ONSs and FWB relationships.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armstrong, E. A., England, P., & Fogarty, A. C. K. (2012). Accounting for women’s orgasm and sexual enjoyment in college hookups and relationships. American Sociological Review, 77(3), 435–462. doi:10.1177/0003122412445802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber, L. L., & Cooper, M. L. (2014). Rebound sex: Sexual motives and behaviors following a relationship breakup. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43(2), 251–265. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0200-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bearman, P. S., & Moody, J. (2004). Suicide and friendships among American adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 94(1), 89–95. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14713704.

  • Beres, M. A., & Farvid, P. (2010). Sexual ethics and young women’s accounts of heterosexual casual sex. Sexualities, 13(3), 377–393. doi:10.1177/1363460709363136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bersamin, M. M., Paschall, M. J., Saltz, R. F., & Zamboanga, B. L. (2012). Young adults and casual sex: The relevance of college drinking settings. Journal of Sex Research, 49(2–3), 274–281. doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.548012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bersamin, M. M., Zamboanga, B. L., Schwartz, S. J., Donnellan, M. B., Hudson, M., Weisskirch, R. S., … Caraway, S. J. (2014). Risky business: Is there an association between casual sex and mental health among emerging adults? Journal of Sex Research, 51, 43–51. doi:10.1080/00224499.2013.772088.

  • Byrne, B. M. (2012). Structural equation modeling with Mplus: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, L. M. (2015). Studying sexualities from a life course perspective. In J. DeLamarter & R. F. Plante (Eds.), Handbook of the sociology of sexualities (pp. 64–89). Switzerland: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Claxton, S. E., DeLuca, H. K., & Van Dulmen, M. H. M. (2015). The association between alcohol use and engagement in casual sexual relationships and experiences: A meta-analytic review of non-experimental studies. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(4), 837–856. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0392-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Claxton, S. E., & van Dulmen, M. H. M. (2013). Casual sexual relationships and experiences in emerging adulthood. Emerging Adulthood, 1(2), 138–150. doi:10.1177/2167696813487181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, M. L. (2002). Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth: Evaluating the evidence. Journal of Studies of Alcohol, 14(Suppl.), 101–117. http://www.addictioncounselorce.com/articles/101641/101-Cooper.pdf.

  • Costello, E. J., Mustillo, S., Erkanli, A., Keeler, G., & Angold, A. (2003). Prevalence and development of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence. Archives of General Psychiatry, 60(8), 837–844. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.60.8.837.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, A. R., & Slutske, W. S. (2015). A noncausal relation between casual sex in adolescence and early adult depression and suicidal ideation: A longitudinal discordant twin study. Journal of Sex Research, 52(7), 770–780. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.942413.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ethier, K. A., Kershaw, T. S., Lewis, J. B., Milan, S., Niccolai, L. M., & Ickovics, J. R. (2006). Self-esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females: Inter-relationships and temporal effects. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(3), 268–274. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.12.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielder, R. L., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Predictors and consequences of sexual “hookups” among college students: A short-term prospective study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(5), 1105–1119. doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9448-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielder, R. L., Walsh, J. L., Carey, K. B., & Carey, M. P. (2013). Predictors of sexual hookups: A theory-based, prospective study of first-year college women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(8), 1425–1441. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0106-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielder, R. L., Walsh, J. L., Carey, K. B., & Carey, M. P. (2014). Sexual hookups and adverse health outcomes: A longitudinal study of first-year college women. Journal of Sex Research, 51(2), 131–144. doi:10.1080/00224499.2013.848255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fortunato, L., Young, A. M., Boyd, C. J., & Fons, C. E. (2010). Hook-up sexual experiences and problem behaviors among adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 19(3), 261–278. doi:10.1080/1067828X.2010.488965.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furman, W., & Collibee, C. (2014). Sexual activity with romantic and nonromantic partners and psychosocial adjustment in young adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43(7), 1327–1341. doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0293-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodson, P., Buhi, E. R., & Dunsmore, S. C. (2006). Self-esteem and adolescent sexual behaviors, attitudes, and intentions: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(3), 310–319. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.05.026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J. W. (2009). Missing data analysis: Making it work in the real world. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 549–576. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085530.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, J. D., Scherrer, J. F., Lynskey, M. T., Lyons, M. J., Eisen, S. A., Tsuang, M. T., … Bucholz, K. K. (2006). Adolescent alcohol use is a risk factor for adult alcohol and drug dependence: Evidence from a twin design. Psychological Medicine, 36(1), 109–118. doi:10.1017/S0033291705006045.

  • Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., & Harper, M. S. (2006). No strings attached: The nature of casual sex in college students. Journal of Sex Research, 43(3), 255–267. doi:10.1080/00224490609552324.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., Harper, M. S., & Dickson, J. W. (2003). Dating and sexual relationship trajectories and adolescent functioning. Adolescent and Family Health, 3(3), 103–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero, L. K., & Mongeau, P. A. (2008). On becoming “more than friends”: The transition from friendship to romantic relationship. In S. Sprecher, A. Wenzel, & J. Harvey (Eds.), Handbook of relationship initiation (pp. 175–194). New York: Taylor & Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallfors, D. D., Waller, M. W., Ford, C. A., Halpern, C. T., Brodish, P. H., & Iritani, B. (2004). Adolescent depression and suicide risk: Association with sex and drug behavior. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27(3), 224–231. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2004.06.001.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Institut de la statistique du Québec. (2008). Quebec survey on smoking, alcohol, drugs and gambling in high school students (QHSHSS). http://www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/statistiques/sante/enfants-ados/alcool-tabac-drogue-jeu/tabac-alcool-drogue-jeu.html.

  • Johnson, M. D. (2013). Parent-child relationship quality directly and indirectly influences hooking up behavior reported in young adulthood through alcohol use in adolescence. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(8), 1463–1472. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0098-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. D., & Chen, J. (2015). Blame it on the alcohol: The influence of alcohol consumption during adolescence, the transition to adulthood, and young adulthood on one-time sexual hookups. Journal of Sex Research, 52, 570–579. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.913281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., Andrews, G., Colpe, L. J., Hiripi, E., Mroczek, D. K., Normand, S.-L. T., … Zaslavsky, A. M. (2002). Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine, 32(6), 959–976. doi:10.1017/S0033291702006074.

  • Manning, W. D., Giordano, P. C., & Longmore, M. A. (2006). Hooking up: The relationship contexts of ‘‘nonrelationship’’ sex. Journal of Adolescent Research, 21(5), 459–483. doi:10.1177/0743558406291692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manning, W. D., Longmore, M. A., & Giordano, P. C. (2005). Adolescents’ involvement in non-romantic sexual activity. Social Science Research, 34(2), 384–407. doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2004.03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, H. W., & O’Neill, R. (1984). Self-description questionnaire III: The construct validity of multidimensional self-concept ratings by late adolescents. Journal of Educational Measurement, 21(2), 153–174. doi:10.1111/j.1745-3984.1984.tb00227.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendle, J., Ferrero, J., Moore, S. R., & Harden, K. P. (2013). Depression and adolescent sexual activity in romantic and nonromantic relational contexts: A genetically-informative sibling comparison. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122(1), 51–63. doi:10.1037/a0029816.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Monahan, K. C., & Lee, J. M. (2008). Adolescent sexual activity: Links between relational context and depressive symptoms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37(8), 917–927. doi:10.1007/s10964-007-9256-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2012). Mplus user’s guide (7th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

  • Oswalt, S. B., Cameron, K. A., & Koob, J. J. (2005). Sexual regret in college students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34(6), 663–669. doi:10.1007/s10508-005-7920-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J., Fincham, F. D., & Manthos, M. (2013). Friendship after a friends with benefits relationship: Deception, psychological functioning, and social connectedness. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(8), 1443–1449. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0160-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J., Fincham, F., & Moore, J. (2011). Short-term prospective study of hooking up among college students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40(2), 331–341. doi:10.1007/s10508-010-9697-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Fincham, F. D. (2010). “Hooking up” among college students: Demographic and psychosocial correlates. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(3), 653–663. doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9414-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, E. L., & Hayes, K. A. (2002). The causalities of “casual’ sex: A qualitative exploration of the phenomenology of college students’ hookups. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 19(5), 639–661. doi:10.1177/0265407502195006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, E. L., McManus, B., & Hayes, A. (2000). “Hookups”: Characteristics and correlates of college students’ spontaneous and anonymous sexual experiences. Journal of Sex Research, 37(1), 76–88. doi:10.1080/00224490009552023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberson, P. N., Olmstead, S. B., & Fincham, F. D. (2015). Hooking up during the college years: Is there a pattern? Culture, Health & Sexuality, 17(5), 576–591. doi:10.1080/13691058.2014.972458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue, C., Blais, M., Lavoie, F., Adam, B. D., Magontier, C., & Goyer, M.-F. (2015). The structure of casual sexual relationships and experiences among single adults aged 18–30 years old: A latent profile analysis. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 24(3), 215–227. doi:10.3138/cjhs.243-A1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg-Thoma, S. E., & Kamp Dush, C. M. (2014). Casual sexual relationships and mental health in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Journal of Sex Research, 51(2), 121–130. doi:10.1080/00224499.2013.821440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, D. P. (2005). Is short-term mating the maladaptive result of insecure attachment? A test of competing evolutionary perspectives. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(6), 747–768. doi:10.1177/0146167204271843.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schulte, M. T., & Hser, Y.-I. (2014). Substance use and associated health conditions throughout the lifespan. Public Health Reviews, 35(2), 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, S., Walsh, S. D., Weisman, O., & Schelyer, M. (2009). Romantic contexts, sexual behavior, and depressive symptoms among adolescent males and females. Sex Roles, 6(11), 850–863. doi:10.1007/s11199-009-9691-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. (2008). National longitudinal survey of children and youth 2006–2007 (NLSCY): Survey instruments. http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&Id=31448.

  • Tapert, S. F., Aarons, G. A., Sedlar, G. R., & Brown, S. A. (2001). Adolescent substance use and sexual risk-taking behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 28(3), 181–189. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(00)00169-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Testa, M., Hoffman, J. H., & Livingston, J. A. (2010). Alcohol and sexual risk behaviors as mediators of the sexual victimization–revictimization relationship. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 249–259. doi:10.1037/a0018914.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Troister, T., & Holden, R. R. (2010). Comparing psychache, depression, and hopelessness in their associations with suicidality: A test of Shneidman’s theory of suicide. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(7), 689–693. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2010.06.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uecker, J. E., Pearce, L. D., & Andercheck, B. (2015). The four U’s: Latent classes of hookup motivations among college students. Social Currents, 2(2), 163–181. doi:10.1177/2329496515579761.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • van Gelder, M. M. H. J., Reefhuis, J., Herron, A. M., Williams, M. L., & Roeleveld, N. (2011). Reproductive health characteristics of marijuana and cocaine users: Results from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 43(3), 164–172. doi:10.1363/4316411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vrangalova, Z. (2015a). Hooking up and psychological well-being in college students: Short-term prospective links across different hookup definitions. Journal of Sex Research, 52(5), 485–498. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.910745.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vrangalova, Z. (2015b). Does casual sex harm college students’ well-being? A longitudinal investigation of the role of motivation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(4), 945–959. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0255-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Botzet, A. M., Fahnhorst, T., Baumel, L., & Lee, S. (2009). Impulsivity and its relationship to risky sexual behaviors and drug abuse. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 18(1), 43–56. doi:10.1080/15470650802541095.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wothke, W. (2000). Longitudinal and multigroup modeling with missing data. In T. D. Little, K. U. Schnabel, & J. Baumert (Eds.), Modeling longitudinal and multiple-group data: Practical issues, applied approaches, and specific examples (pp. 219–240). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (#103944; Principal Investigator: Martine Hébert) and by a Doctoral Research Scholarship from Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Société et Culture (FRQSC) awarded to the first author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. École de psychologie, Université Laval, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada

    Sophie Dubé & Francine Lavoie

  2. Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada

    Martin Blais & Martine Hébert

Authors
  1. Sophie Dubé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francine Lavoie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Martin Blais
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Martine Hébert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sophie Dubé.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dubé, S., Lavoie, F., Blais, M. et al. Psychological Well-Being as a Predictor of Casual Sex Relationships and Experiences among Adolescents: A Short-Term Prospective Study. Arch Sex Behav 46, 1807–1818 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0914-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0914-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation