Who Benefits From Casual Sex? The Moderating Role of Sociosexuality

Zhana Vrangalova; Anthony D. Ong

doi:10.1177/1948550614537308

Who Benefits From Casual Sex? The Moderating Role of Sociosexuality

¹Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
²Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA

Zhana Vrangalova, Department of Psychology, New York University, 161G Meyer, 6 Washington Place, New York, NY 1003, USA. Email: sv52{at}nyu.edu

Abstract

Casual sex has become a normative experience among young people, raising concerns regarding its well-being consequences. Prior findings on main effects of casual sex on well-being are mixed, suggesting possible moderating factors. Using longitudinal and weekly diary methodologies, this study examined the moderating influence of sociosexuality, a stable personality orientation toward casual sex, on psychological well-being (self-esteem, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety) following penetrative (oral, vaginal, or anal) casual sex among single undergraduates. As predicted, sociosexuality moderated the effect of casual sex on well-being on a weekly basis across 12 consecutive weeks, over one semester, and over one academic year. Sociosexually unrestricted students typically reported higher well-being after having casual sex compared to not having casual sex; there were no such differences among restricted individuals. Few gender differences were found. Findings are discussed in terms of authenticity in one’s sexual behaviors.

Article Notes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding This research was partially supported by a grant-in-aid from the Foundation for Scientific Study of Sexuality, a grant-in-aid from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and a grant from the Human Ecology Alumni Association, Cornell University, all awarded to Zhana Vrangalova for conducting her doctoral dissertation research. We would like to thank Rachel Mack, Melany Bradshaw, and Vickie Liang for their help with data collection and preparation.