The Upside to Hooking Up: College Students’ Positive Hookup Experiences

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Popular media and research have predominately focused on the risks of hooking up, which may stigmatize young people. In the current study, we identify factors that facilitate positive hookups. Methods: College students (N = 250) in the United States reported hookup motives, sexual self-concept, sexual satisfaction, and emotional reactions to a hookup. Results: Emotional reactions were more positive than negative. Intimacy and pleasure motives predicted sexual satisfaction; self-affirmation motives predicted positive emotional reactions. Hookups with a previous partner were rated as more satisfying. Conclusions: Understanding qualities associated with positive hookups may better equip young adults to make informed decisions about their sexual lives.

KEYWORDS:

• Hooking up
• sexual behavior
• positive sexuality
• sexual motives
• college students
• sexual self-concept

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge all of the college students who provided their time to participate in our study and share their experiences with us. We would also like to thank Brianna Cheney, Margaret Galiani, Andrea Gordon, and Rene' Lento for their assistance with data collection and entry and for helping us rethink college students' hookup experiences. Sincere thanks to colleagues at Boston College and the University of Arizona who provided feedback on early versions of this manuscript.