Are Hookups Replacing Romantic Relationships? A Longitudinal Study of First-Year Female College Students

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and frequency of sexual hookups across the first year of college and to compare rates of hookups and romantic relationship sex. Methods: We surveyed 483 first-year female college students (mean age, 18.1 years; range, 18-21 years, 64% white) monthly over the first year of college about the frequency of sexual behavior in the context of hookups and romantic relationships. Results: The prevalence of hookups involving oral or vaginal sex was 34% before college and 40% during the first year, compared with 58% and 56%, respectively, with romantic partners. Fewer than one in five participants (7%-18%) had a sexual hookup each month, whereas 25%-38% had sex in the context of relationships each month. Conclusions: Hooking up varies in frequency over the first year in college, but remains less common than sex in the context of relationships. (C) 2013 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.