Are Drinking Motives Associated with Sexual "Hookups" among College Student Drinkers?

This study examined associations between drinking motivation, alcohol use, and sexual hookups among college students.

Participants (n = 755 Midwest college student drinkers; 61% female) ranged in age from 18-24.

Participants completed online measures of alcohol involvement (use and motives) and sexual activity.

Alcohol use was positively linked to sexual hookups. Social and enhancement motives were positively and indirectly associated with sexual hookups via alcohol use. Drinking to cope had a direct association with sexual hookups. Social drinking was more strongly associated with hookups in men than in women, but both groups exhibited a positive association.

This study is the first to highlight the relationships between distinct drinking motives and sexual risk behavior. The results indicate that specific motives may increase risk of sexual hookups both indirectly via alcohol use, as well as directly, at least among those that drink to cope with negative mood.

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By: Dvorak RD1, Kuvaas NJ1, Kilwein TM2, Wray TB3, Stevenson BL1, Sargent EM1.

• 1a Department of Psychology , North Dakota State University , Fargo , North Dakota , USA.
• 2b Department of Psychology , University of North Dakota , Grand Forks , North Dakota , USA.
• 3c Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University , Providence, Rhode Island , USA.  

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