Hooking up: What do you think?

Purpose of this study: 1) explore attitudes and perceptions toward hooking-up among college students and 2) assess whether perceived subjective norms influence hook-up behaviors, frequency of hook-ups, and individual intention to hook-up within 12 months. Hooking-up was defined as sexual interaction without expecting romantic commitment. A 3-section survey instrument assessed perceptions of: 1) commonality, frequency and comfort level of hooking-up among friends; 2) situational factors influencing decisions to hook-up; and 3) personal relationship status and intent to hook up within 12 months. The survey was administered electronically to a random sample of undergraduate students at a large Midwestern state university. Responses from 975 students revealed no gender differences in perceptions of the percentage of peers hooking-up. Students believed that: 1) 65% of students think hooking up is socially acceptable; 2) 69% of their peers had hooked-up at least once in college; 3) 41% had hooked up due to pressure from a partner; and 4) 39% had done so to "fit in". Males scored significantly higher on intent to hook-up, belief that hooking-up was socially acceptable, numbers of total hook-ups, and hook-ups under the influence of alcohol. Females reported significantly higher levels of stress/anxiety and regret/shame following hookups. Those who believed college students hook-up to fit in also believed hook-ups resulted from peer pressure (r=.60). Those believing peers experienced hook-up regret also believed students experienced stress after a hook-up (r=.70). This research may be instrumental in reducing misperceptions about casual sex and illustrating possible consequences of hooking-up to the college population.