Are drinking motives associated with sexual "hookups" among college student drinkers?
OBJECTIVE
This study examined associations between drinking motivation, alcohol use, and sexual hookups among college students.


METHODS
Participants (n = 755 Midwest college student drinkers; 61% female) ranged in age from 18 to 24.


METHODS
Participants completed online measures of alcohol involvement (use and motives) and sexual activity.


RESULTS
Alcohol use was positively linked to sexual hookups. Social and enhancement motives were positively and indirectly associated with sexual hookups via alcohol use. Drinking to cope had a direct association with sexual hookups. Social drinking was more strongly associated with hookups in men than in women, but both groups exhibited a positive association.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to highlight the relationships between distinct drinking motives and sexual risk behavior. The results indicate that specific motives may increase risk of sexual hookups both indirectly via alcohol use, as well as directly, at least among those that drink to cope with negative mood.
a Department of Psychology , North Dakota State University , Fargo , North Dakota.
Robert D
RD
Dvorak
a Department of Psychology , North Dakota State University , Fargo , North Dakota.
Nicholas J
NJ
Kuvaas
b Department of Psychology , University of North Dakota , Grand Forks , North Dakota.
Tess M
TM
Kilwein
c Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies , Brown University , Providence , Rhode Island.
Tyler B
TB
Wray
a Department of Psychology , North Dakota State University , Fargo , North Dakota.
Brittany L
BL
Stevenson
a Department of Psychology , North Dakota State University , Fargo , North Dakota.
Emily M
EM
Sargent
D000367:Age Factors; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
Alcohol use; college students; drinking motives; risky sex; sexual hookups