No strings attached: The nature of casual sex in college students

TLDR

The study aims to identify circumstances surrounding casual sex among college students and examine its links to depressive symptoms and infidelity, contextualized by evolutionary and sociocultural theories. The study found casual sex is common among college students, especially early in sexual development, with drug and alcohol use, and is more frequent between friends than strangers; depressive symptoms are linked to casual sex differently by gender—males report fewer symptoms, females more—and the frequency of affectionate and genital behaviors correlates with relationship expectations, partner type, infidelity, and individual relationship style.

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to identify the circumstances associated with casual sex encounters, as well as to identify the link between casual sex, depressive symptoms, and infidelity among college students. We found that casual sex was a fairly common occurrence related to early sexual transition, engaging in first sex with a casual sex partner, drug use, and alcohol consumption. Casual sex occurred more often between “friends” than with strangers. Depressive symptoms were associated with engaging in casual sex differently for males and females. Males who engaged in casual sex reported the fewest symptoms of depression, and females who had a history of casual sex reported the most depressive symptoms. Frequencies of affectionate and genital behaviors were associated with expectations of the relationship, the relationship to the partner, infidelity, and the individual's relationship style. We discuss results in light of evolutionary and sociocultural theories of sexuality.