Sexual Communication, Satisfaction, and Condom Use Behavior in Friends with Benefits and Romantic Partners

Abstract

Although “friends with benefits” relationships (FWBRs) are common and have been the subject of significant media and research attention, relatively little is known about them, especially in terms of how they differ from other types of relationships. The present research sought to compare the sexual outcomes of FWBRs to those of traditional romantic relationships via an online survey. Results revealed that FWBR partners were less likely to be sexually exclusive, had a lower frequency of sexual interaction, were less sexually satisfied, and generally communicated less about sex than romantic partners did. However, compared to romantic partners, FWBR partners devoted relatively more of the time spent together to sexual activity, practiced safe sex more frequently, communicated more often about extradyadic sexual experiences, and reported a greater number of lifetime casual sex partners. These findings indicate that the sexual outcomes of FWBRs and romantic relationships are quite distinct and provide evidence of the potential public health implications associated with both casual and committed sexual relationships.

Notes

Note. The subsamples did not significantly differ in any of these demographic characteristics. Numbers in parentheses represent standard deviations.

Note. None of the percentages differ within rows.

Note. Differing subscripts indicate statistically significant mean differences within rows, p < .05. Numbers in parentheses represent standard deviations. Each item was rated on a 9-point scale ranging from 1 (do not agree at all) to 9 (agree completely).