Casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs) are a common phenomenon experienced by the majority of emerging adults attending college and university. Despite researchers' increased interest towards the topic of casual sex in recent years, there is a lack of validated psychometric measures that operationalize different types of CSREs and an absence of uniformity in the definitions of casual sex. Few studies distinguish clearly between different types of CSREs and few studies include a balanced approach when considering well-being outcomes (i.e., negative and positive markers). The first study of this dissertation aimed to bridge the research gap through the development and validation of the Casual Sex Experiences Scale (CASEX), which measures frequency of four types of CSREs (one-night stands, booty calls, fuck buddies, and friends with benefits). The CASEX's validity (factorial, convergent, divergent) and reliability (internal consistency) were tested in two independent samples. The results indicated that the CASEX can indeed measure the four aforementioned types of CSREs. In the second study, we examined how those four types of CSREs were related to well-being in consensual sexual interactions in a cross-sectional study. We included positive and negative markers of wellbeing. Moreover, we tested whether the relation between CSREs and well-being was moderated by sociosexual attitudes. We derived hypotheses from the theory of cognitive dissonance related to the potential moderating effect of sociosexual attitudes. Participants reported a coexistence of negative and positive well-being outcomes related to CSREs (e.g., positive and negative emotions during and following casual sex). In most cases, sociosexual attitudes did not moderate the relationships between CSREs and well-being outcomes. However, a notable exception was that sociosexual attitudes moderated relationships between CSREs and emotions experienced during and following casual sex, which was expected from the theory of cognitive dissonance. As hypothesized, the relationship between casual sex and negative emotions during and following casual sex was stronger in those participants with less sociosexual attitudes. Nonetheless, some results refuted our hypotheses, for instance, some relationships between casual sex and positive emotions during and following casual sex were stronger in those participants with less sociosexual attitudes. In other words, casual sex seemed to have been less of an emotional experience (positive or negative) in those with more sociosexual attitudes. Overall, this dissertation provides initial evidence in favour of the validity and reliability of the CASEX, which can enable to understand more nuanced relationships between experiences of casual sex and well-being among emerging adults. Findings deepened the understanding of the role of sociosexual attitudes in the relations between different types of CSREs and well-being markers.

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This study explored multiple predictors of sexual well-being in a sample of 253 single, sexually active undergraduate females at a public Mid-Atlantic university. Several factors were identified from past research that might impact sexual well-being: casual sex, sexual agency, sexual attitudes, and sexual desire. Of the four factors, only sexual agency and sexual attitudes were found as significant predictors of sexual well-being. The results suggest that -- of single, sexually active undergraduate females -- those with a greater sense of agency and choice in their sexual interactions and those who maintain more open attitudes toward casual sex have a higher level of sexual well-being. Agency and openness may be important factors in the development of sexual well-being for young women. Limitations of the study, as well as implications for future research and psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions, are addressed. / Master of Science

Sexual economics theory (SET) innebär att kvinnor kan använda sin sexualitet som resurs mot mäns materiella och emotionella resurser. Sexual double standards (SDS) innebär att män och kvinnor uppmanar män men avråder kvinnor från casual sex. Ökad medvetenhet kan leda till att skillnader mellan råd till män respektive kvinnor undviks, vilket minskar SDS och främjar jämställdhet. Studien undersökte om SET har fäste i ett samhälle som anses jämställt. Ett tillgänglighetsurval på 125 kvinnor och 75 män gjordes vid en högskola i Mellansverige. Enkätundersökningen berörde råd om casual sex, aspekter som söks i en partner samt påståenden relaterade till SET. Män uppvisade SDS eftersom de uppmanade andra män mer än de uppmanade kvinnor till casual sex. Däremot visade kvinnor tendens till omvänd SDS gällande casual sex, vilket tyder på ojämställdhet i Sverige. I framtida studier rekommenderas specificering av person som får råd, då mätningen blir mer reliabel och resultat kan generaliseras.

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Casual sexual relationships are common forms of modern sexual relationships. Researchers are paying increased attention to these relationship types, but have been remiss in ensuring that the definitions of the relationships under investigation match participants’ conceptualizations. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is to determine whether definitions and behavioural scripts for casual sexual relationships can be identified. In Study 1, 23 young adults discussed initiation, maintenance, and termination components of various casual sexual relationships in focus groups and developed consensus definitions for each relationship. Each focus group independently identified four casual sexual relationships: One Night Stand, Booty Call, Fuck Buddies, and Friends with Benefits. These four relationships were the focus of subsequent exploration. Building on the qualitative descriptions created in the focus groups, an online survey was used to determine whether relationship definitions and associated script behaviours could be confirmed in a larger sample (N = 885). In Study 2, a restricted age subsample (i.e., 18-29 years) was used to determine if emerging adults endorsed the proposed definitions. A majority of the sample endorsed the definitions for One Night Stand (96%), Booty Call (93%), Fuck Buddies (83%), and Friends with Benefits (87%). A larger proportion of individuals with sexual intercourse experience endorsed the definitions compared to those without sexual intercourse experience, while previous casual sex experience did not affect definition endorsements. Women demonstrated greater precision in identifying the definitions. In Study 3, the full sample of 885 participants was used to identify the specific script behaviours associated with each relationship. Using behaviourally descriptive items (N = 62) derived from Study 1, participants identified 12 script items for One Night Stand, Booty Call, and Friends with Benefits and 10 script items for Fuck Buddies. Individuals with previous sexual intercourse experience were more adept at identifying the specific behavioural script items, while previous casual sex experience did not affect script endorsements. Again, women were particularly adept at identifying the specific script items. Overall, these findings suggest that specific definitions and respective scripts exist for the One Night Stand, Booty Call, Fuck Buddies, and Friends with Benefits relationships. This knowledge appears broad and may be considered as socio-cultural knowledge of young adults. Numerous implications flow from the understanding that young adults implicitly know what behaviours are associated with these popular forms of casual sexual relationships. Researchers need to ensure they use scientifically sound definitions in order to develop a more sophisticated lexicon of (casual sex) relationships and understand how modern sexual relationships fit within the scope of potential relationship options.

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Casual sex is common on college campuses and is potentially relevant to a person's self-esteem. Unfortunately, data are mixed regarding how self-esteem is influenced by casual sex. This thesis is an attempt to understand how casual sex influences women's self-esteem through a series of questionnaires. Three hypotheses were of interest. The first predicted that sociosexuality and desire would explain casual sex engagement. Second, that casual sex behaviors and attitudes would predict self-esteem. Third, looking only at those who engaged in casual sex; casual sex attitudes and affect would predict self-esteem. Using hierarchical regression, results indicated that there was a curvilinear effect for sociosexuality on number of casual sex partners. Results for the second hypothesis showed an interaction between behavior and attitudes to predict selfesteem. Finally, for hypothesis three, results showed a moderation effect for attitudes on negative affect regarding overall casual sex experience and self-esteem.

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