Faculty Publications

Personality As A Predictor Of Hooking Up Among College Students

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Community Health Nursing

Volume

25

Issue

1

First Page

26

Last Page

43

Abstract

Hookups - casual sexual encounters that may or may not include intercourse - are common on college campuses. Previous research has suggested that these casual sexual encounters may have serious health-related consequences. Understanding the relationships among multiple predictors of hooking up is important if high-risk prevention programming among college students is to be effective. This study considers each of the Big Five personality traits as predictors of hooking-up behaviors in a sample of Midwestern undergraduates (N = 247). Fifty-six percent of women and 63% of men reported engaging in a hookup. In general, Extraversion was positively associated with hooking up behaviors; Conscientiousness was negatively associated with hooking up. Relationships between personality and hooking up were significant while controlling for alcohol use. Implications for prevention programming on college campuses are discussed.

Department

Department of Design, Textiles, Gerontology, and Family Studies

Original Publication Date

1-1-2008

DOI of published version

10.1080/07370010701836385

Link to Full Text

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