Short-Term Positive and Negative Consequences of Sex Based on Daily Reports Among College Students

Abstract

Because sexual behavior may be associated with a broader range of outcomes than physical consequences like sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, it is important to understand consequences of sex that may influence mental and social well-being in emerging adulthood. This article describes the short-term intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences reported by college students on days they engage in vaginal sex and what factors predict experiencing particular consequences. Data are from first-year college students who reported vaginal sex on at least one of 28 sampled days (mean age = 18.5 years; 53% female; 30% Hispanic/Latino [HL]; of non-HL participants, 30% were African American, 22% were Asian American, 35% were European American, and 12% were multiracial; N = 209 people and N = 679 person days). Participants reported positive consequences more frequently than negative consequences. Non-use of contraception and sex with a non-dating partner were associated with greater odds of reporting negative consequences. These findings have implications for messages about casual sex and use of contraception in sex education and sexual health programming.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Grant R01 AA 016016 from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (to Jennifer Maggs). We thank Nicole Morgan, Wayne Osgood, Meg Small, and the rest of the University Life Study team for their help with data collection, preparation, and analysis.

Notes

Note. Level 1 N ranges from 664 to 673 days due to small variations in missing data for particular items; Level 2 N = 209 persons. Twelve items assessing intrapersonal consequences of sex (in italics) were subdivided into categories of consequences. For categories that contained only one item, this item's frequency was reported; for categories with multiple items, frequencies for individual items were reported, as well as frequencies of reporting any item in the category. STD = sexually transmitted disease.

Note. Level 1 N ranges from 670 to 673 due to small variations in missing data for particular items; Level 2 N = 209 persons. Seven items assessing interpersonal consequences of sex (in italics) were subdivided into categories of consequences. For categories that contain only one item, this item's frequency was reported; for categories with multiple items, frequencies for individual items were reported, as well as frequencies of reporting any item in the category.

^a These consequences were not included in subsequent analyses, as they were reported on <10% of days of sex.

Note. Variables used in this table assess individuals' average number of consequences reported in a category across days they reported vaginal sex.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. Due to small variations in missing data across each type of consequence, Level 1 N ranges from 657 to 664 person days; Level 2 N ranges from 203 to 205 people. OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note. Due to small variations in missing data across each type of consequence, Level 1 N ranges from 657 to 664 person days; Level 2 N ranges from 203 to 205 people. OR = odds ratio; CI = confidence interval.

*p < .05. **p < .001.