title: Do hookups hurt? Exploring college students' experiences and perceptions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hookups refer to a range of sexual or physically intimate behaviors characterized by a lack of any expectation of a relationship or emotional intimacy. This study was designed to assess college students' experiences and perceptions about hookups as related to mental/emotional and physical health issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students at a 2-year liberal arts college in the southeastern United States participated. A survey was created using current evidence on hookups and health issues. Random sampling invited 300 students to take the anonymous online survey. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed quantitatively; content analysis was used to assess responses to 2 open-ended questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants (N = 210) reported their own or their friends' experiences as a result of a hookup. Feelings included sexual regret (reported by 62%), relationship/interpersonal conflict (48%), negative emotional reactions (47%), negative social repercussions (41%), learning to "shut down" emotionally (33%), psychological distress (31%), loss of friend(s) or peer group (28%), anxiety (28%), depression (21%), and sexually transmitted infections (19%). Most students (60%) had at least one hookup experience; more than half (55%) had mixed feelings/ambivalence about these experiences. Qualitative analysis identified 6 themes regarding reasons for sexual regret: regret over choice of partner, negative social repercussions, hopes for relationship did not materialize, moral issues, too much/too fast/too drunk, and suboptimal sexual performance/experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that a significant level of negative health issues is experienced in conjunction with hookups, and health care providers should be aware and educate patients appropriately.
authors: Student Health Service, Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford,GA 30054, USA. molly.bachtel@emory.edu
authors: Molly Kathleen
authors: MK
authors: Bachtel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001290:Attitude; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009014:Morals; D010379:Peer Group; D010465:Perception; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult