Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Meanings for Sex and Commitment Among First Semester College Men and Women: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

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

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to replicate and extend research on the meanings for sex and commitment using a sample of first semester college students (N = 268). We examined responses to a series of open-ended questions about participants’ meanings for sex and how they described these meanings as connected with relationship commitment. Our qualitative analyses replicated those of Olmstead, Billen, Conrad, Pasley, and Fincham (2013). Our largest group was the Committers (sex is indicative of love and trust and occurs after commitment is developed in a relationship), followed by Flexibles (sex can hold deep personal meaning, but can also be purely for pleasure and isn’t always connected with commitment), and then Recreationers (sex is a basic need or purely for pleasure and is not associated with commitment). Groups were then examined based on demographic characteristics and pre-college hookup experience. Groups were found to differ by gender, relationship status and type, religiosity, and pre-college hookup experience. For example, a greater proportion of women than men were in the Committers group, whereas a greater proportion of men than women were in the Flexibles and Recreationers groups. Those in the Committers group had fewer pre-college hookup partners than Flexibles and Recreationers; however, Flexibles and Recreationers did not differ in number of pre-college hookup partners. We then followed up (at the end of the semester) with a subsample (n = 73) of participants to examine whether meanings for sex and commitment remained stable or changed over a brief period of time. The majority (82.2 %) of participants’ meanings remained stable. For those whose meanings shifted, meanings became more consistent with those of the Committers group than the other two groups. Implications for research and sexual and relationship education are discussed.

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

  • Allen, K. R., Husser, E. K., Stone, D. J., & Jordal, C. E. (2008). Agency and error in young adults’ stories of sexual decision making. Family Relations, 57, 517–529. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2008.00519.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (2015). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the early twenties (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Asendorpf, J. B., Conner, M., de Fruyt, F., de Houwer, J., Denissen, J. J. A., Fiedler, K., … Wicherts, J. M. (2013). Recommendations for increasing replicability in psychology. European Journal of Personality, 27, 108–119. doi:10.1002/per.1919.

  • Barry, C., Madsen, S., Nelson, L., Carroll, J., & Badger, S. (2009). Friendship and romantic relationship qualities in emerging adulthood: Differential associations with identity development and achieved adulthood criteria. Journal of Adult Development, 16, 209–222. doi:10.1007/s10804-009-9067-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bersamin, M. M., Fisher, D. A., Walker, S., Hill, D. L., & Grube, J. W. (2007). Defining virginity and abstinence: Adolescents’ interpretations of sexual behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, 182–188. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.03.011.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bogle, K. A. (2008). Hooking up: Sex, dating, and relationships on campus. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). Sexual strategies theory: An evolutionary perspective on human mating. Psychological Review, 100, 204–232. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.100.2.204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, E. S., Henderson, J., & Hobson, K. M. (2009). University students’ definitions of sexual abstinence and having sex. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 665–674. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9289-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dworkin, S. L., & O’Sullivan, L. (2005). Actual versus desired patterns among a sample of college men: Tapping disjunctures within traditional male sexual scripts. Journal of Sex Research, 42, 150–158. doi:10.1080/00224490509552268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, R. I., Getz, J. G., & Raines, B. E. (1991, August). Theory guided models in prevention of AIDS in adolescents. Paper presented at the Science Weekend at the American Psychological Association Meeting, San Francisco, CA.

  • Fielder, R. L., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Prevalence and characteristics of sexual hookups among first-semester female college students. Journal of Sex & Martial Therapy, 36, 346–359. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2010.488118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, J. R., Reiber, C., Massey, S. G., & Merriwether, A. M. (2012). Sexual hookup culture: A review. Review of General Psychology, 16, 161–176. doi:10.1037/a0027911.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  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, 103–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gute, G., Eshbaugh, E. M., & Weirsma, J. (2008). Sex for you, but not for me: Discontinuity in understanding emerging adults’ definitions of “having sex”. Journal of Sex Research, 45, 329–337. doi:10.1080/00224490802398332.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaestle, C. E., & Halpern, C. T. (2007). What’s love got to do with it? Sexual behaviors of opposite-sex couples through emerging adulthood. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 39, 134–140. doi:10.1363/3913407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J., & Schneider, M. E. (2013). Casual hook up sex during the first year of college: Prospective associations with attitudes about sex and love relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42, 1451–1462. doi:10.1007/s10508-013-0078-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kenyan, D. B., & Koerner, S. S. (2009). Examining emerging adults’ and parents’ expectations about autonomy during the transition to college. Journal of Adolescent Research, 24, 293–320. doi:10.1177/0743558409333021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krippendorff, K. (2013). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaRossa, R. (2005). Grounded theory methods and qualitative family research. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67, 837–857. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2005.00179.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M. A., Granato, H., Blayney, J. A., Lostutter, T. W., & Kilmer, J. R. (2012). Predictors of hooking up sexual behaviors and emotional reactions among U.S. college students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41, 1219–1229. doi:10.1007/s10508-011-9817-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindgren, K. P., Schacht, R. L., Pantalone, D. W., Blayney, J. A., & George, W. H. (2009). Sexual communication, sexual goals, and students’ transition to college: Implications for sexual assault, decision-making, and risky behaviors. Journal of College Student Development, 50, 491–503. doi:10.1353/csd.0.0095.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Monto, M. A., & Carey, A. G. (2014). A new standard of sexual behavior? Are claims associated with the “hookup culture” supported by general social survey data? Journal of Sex Research, 51, 605–615. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.906031.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, E. M., & Zurbriggen, E. L. (2012). Changes in sexual values and their sources over the 1st year of college. Journal of Adolescent Research, 27, 471–497. doi:10.1177/0743558411432637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olmstead, S. B., Billen, R. M., Conrad, K. A., Pasley, K., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). Sex, commitment, and casual sex relationships among college men: A mixed-methods analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42, 561–571. doi:10.1007/s10508-012-0047-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olmstead, S. B., Roberson, P. N. E., Pasley, K., & Fincham, F. D. (2015). Hooking up and risk behaviors among first semester college men: What is the role of pre-college experience? Journal of Sex Research, 52, 186–198. doi:10.1080/00224499.2013.843147.

    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, 653–663. doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9414-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, M. E., Maggs, J. L., & Abar, C. C. (2007). Reasons to have sex, personal goals, and sexual behavior during the transition to college. Journal of Sex Research, 44, 240–249. doi:10.1080/00224490701443759.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, J. L., & Hyde, J. S. (2010). A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences in sexuality, 1993–2007. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 21–38. doi:10.1037/a0017504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, Z. D., & Muehlenhard, C. L. (2007). What is sex and why does it matter? A motivational approach to exploring individuals’ definitions of sex. Journal of Sex Research, 44, 256–268. doi:10.1080/00224490701443932.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • PREP for Individuals, Inc. (2005, October). Within my reach: Participant workbook (Version 2.1). Denver, CO: Author.

  • Regnerus, M., & Uecker, J. (2011). Premarital sex in America: How young Americans meet, mate, and think about marrying. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, J. A., Elliott, S., & Webber, G. R. (2011). Casual hookups to formal dates: Refining the boundaries of the sexual double standard. Gender & Society, 25, 545–568. doi:10.1177/0891243211418642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2010). Should I stay or should I go? Predicting dating relationship stability from four aspects of commitment. Journal of Family Psychology, 24, 543–550. doi:10.1037/a0021008.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, S. A., & Reinisch, J. M. (1999). Would you say you “had sex” if…? Journal of the American Medical Association, 281, 275–277. doi:10.1001/jama.281.3.275.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, S. (2009). Shall we really do it again? The powerful concept of replication is neglected in the social sciences. Review of General Psychology, 13, 90–100. doi:10.1037/a0015108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, J. P. (1995). Multiple hypothesis testing. Annual Review of Psychology, 46, 561–584. doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.46.020195.003021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, W., & Gagnon, J. H. (1986). Sexual scripts: Permanence and change. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 15, 97–120. doi:10.1007/BF01542219.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, T. D., & Dillow, S. A. (2011). Digest of education statistics 2010 (NCES 2011-015). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, S. M., Rhoades, G. K., & Markman, H. J. (2006). Sliding versus deciding: Inertia and the premarital cohabitation effect. Family Relations, 55, 499–509. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2006.00418.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, S. M., Whitton, S. W., & Markman, H. J. (2004). Maybe I do: Interpersonal commitment and premarital or nonmarital cohabitation. Journal of Family Issues, 25, 496–519. doi:10.1177/0192513X03257797.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stepp, L. S. (2007). Unhooked: How young women pursue sex, delay love and lose at both. New York: Riverhead Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wade, L., & Heldman, C. (2012). Hooking up and opting out: Negotiating sex in the first year of college. In L. M. Carpenter & J. DeLamater (Eds.), Sex for life: From virginity to Viagra, how sexuality changes throughout our lives (pp. 128–145). New York: New York University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wentland, J. J., & Reissing, E. D. (2011). Taking casual sex not too casually: Exploring definitions of casual sexual relationships. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 20, 75–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, J. M., Klein, D. M., & Martin, T. F. (2015). Family theories (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Family Studies, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, The University of Tennessee, 115 Jessie W. Harris Building, 1215 W. Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    Spencer B. Olmstead, Kristin M. Anders & Kathryn A. Conrad

Authors
  1. Spencer B. Olmstead
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristin M. Anders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kathryn A. Conrad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Spencer B. Olmstead.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Olmstead, S.B., Anders, K.M. & Conrad, K.A. Meanings for Sex and Commitment Among First Semester College Men and Women: A Mixed-Methods Analysis. Arch Sex Behav 46, 1831–1842 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0777-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0777-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation