Brown University Research Examines Factors That Influence Hook-Up Behavior of Women College Students

A new study by researchers at the Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, which is affiliated with the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, has identified factors that predict whether first-year college women will engage in sexual hook-up behavior. The researchers state that sexual hook-ups can have negative emotional and health outcomes such as unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and depression.

The research team led by Robyn L. Fielder, a research intern at the hospital, surveyed 483 incoming first-year female college students. Students were asked about their personality traits, social environment, risk behaviors, and sexual histories. The women were surveyed monthly during their first-year at college.

Fielder stated, “Our findings suggest hooking up during the first year of college is influenced by pre-college hookups, personality, behavioral intentions, the social and situational context, family background and substance use patterns – particularly marijuana use.” Not surprisingly, prior sexual hook-up behavior emerged as the strongest predictor of sexual hook-up behavior in college.

“The transition to college is an important time for health care professionals to provide sexual health information and resources to help women make informed choices,” Fielder said.

The study, “Predictors of Sexual Hookups: A Theory-Based, Prospective Study of First-Year College Women,” was published on the website of the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior. It may be accessed here.