It's no surprise that casual sex is a huge topic of controversy—whether you're on a college campus or in a corporate office. However, much of the conversation has centered around the negative consequences that come along with it. In fact, one study last year linked no-strings-attached sex to lower self-esteem, negative wellbeing, and higher levels of anxiety and depression. And obviously, safe sex is a huge part of the equation.
But surprising new research says that casual sex can actually come with benefits—for certain people. In a new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, researchers took a sample of 371 male and female college students and asked them to complete a survey about their "sociosexual orientation" (their attitudes about casual sex) which included questions about their views on sex without love and if they'd ever had a one night stand. Then they scored this questionnaire on a scale of "restrictiveness," which basically described a person's level of openness to a variety of sexual encounters.
Over the course of nine months, the subjects kept a journal about their sex lives and how their hookups made them feel. Scientists found that among the more sexually open students (those who were least restrictive on the sociosexual orientation scale), men and women reported higher self-esteem and lower rates of anxiety and depression when they engaged in casual sex, compared to when they didn't. For these people, casual sex actually had a positive influence.
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Of course, this doesn't mean that casual sex is awesome for everyone. What this research really tells us is that everyone should do what's right for them, says lead study researcher Zhana Vrangalova, Ph.D. "I'd say the implications are that casual sex is not a universally bad or a universally good experience for everyone," says Vrangalova. "Some people benefit and others are harmed by it." Essentially, it all comes down to your level of sociosexual orientation, which is a complex combination of genetic and cultural factors that influence your feelings on no-strings-attached sex.
"The best way to maximize your health in this context is to know yourself," says Vrangalova. "Are you the kind of person who desires and thinks positively of casual sex? And then make sure that your choices to have or not to have casual sex are in line with your values and desires." While it may seem like common sense, it certainly changes the conversation about casual hookups to include both positive and negative outcomes—and isn't that the truth with all kinds of sex?
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This research is in line with the belief that men and women aren't necessarily hardwired to want—or not want—casual sex. It's a lot more complicated than that. While we don't have access to this test of sociosexual orientation, we do have a few general questions you should ask yourself before a hookup, which may help you decide if it's a good move.
Figure out what you want out of a spur-of-the-moment session first, and then ask yourself if there are any reasons you can think of not to do it. Is he giving you weird vibes or have you been feeling down and are looking for a quick pick-me-up? If so, it's probably not the best idea to hop into bed with someone, especially if you've been drinking a little too much. After all, sex should be pleasurable and enjoyable—not something you regret as soon as the sun comes up.
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