Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

Spring 5-4-2023

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Desirée Crevecoeur-MacPhail

Abstract

The taboo around casual sex has been decreasing over the years, especially on college campuses; it is estimated that around 60-80% of college students engage in hookups (Garcia et al., 2013). Hookup culture is a college campus phenomenon that encompasses the social scripts, beliefs, and norms around casual sex among college students (Allison, 2019). The term “hooking up” includes a range of sexual behaviors, from kissing to intercourse, that have no expectation of a committed relationship after the encounter (LaBrie, 2012). The goal of this study is to understand how differences in an individual’s attachment styles and sociosexuality (attitude towards casual sex) may influence engagement in hookup culture behaviors, such as alcohol consumption, post-hookup communication, and engagement in hookups. Data from 67 college students were used to test the hypotheses that individuals with insecure attachment styles engage in more hookups and consume more alcohol during hookups compared to those with secure attachment styles. Complementary to previous research, this study found that individuals with insecure attachment styles consume more alcohol than those with secure attachment styles and that those with avoidant attachment styles communicate less than those with anxious attachment styles. However, contrary to previous research, this study did not find significant differences in hookup engagement between different attachment styles or gender differences regarding hookup engagement. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex factors that contribute to risky health behaviors among college students. As such, universities should opt to educate students, provide resources, and establish a safe environment for young adults during this time of sexual exploration.

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Presented at the Spring 2023 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

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