%0 Journal Article
%T First Semester College Students¡¯ Definitions of and Expectations for Engaging in Hookups
%A Kathryn A. Conrad
%A Kristin M. Anders
%A Spencer B. Olmstead
%J Journal of Adolescent Research
%@ 1552-6895
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0743558417698571
%X Our study was guided by a developmental lens (emerging adulthood) and the theory of symbolic interaction as we attended to the meanings and definitions that contextualize expectations for engaging in hookups while attending college. Using a directed approach to qualitative content analysis, we examined first semester college men¡¯s and women¡¯s (N = 253) responses to a series of open-ended questions focused on definitions of and expectations for hooking up. Six definitional variations of hooking up emerged from these responses: (a) ¡°sex¡± left undefined, (b) making out, (c) a range of sexual activities, (d) ¡°sex¡± defined as intercourse, (e) the ¡°all but sex¡± continuum, and (f) hanging out or going on a date. Chi-square analyses indicated no proportional differences in these definitions based on participant gender. Characteristics of hookup partners were also identified in participant responses. Whereas a greater proportion of men identified physical appearance as a necessary attribute of a potential hookup partner, a greater proportion of women discussed (a) familiarity with a hookup partner and (b) hookups as occurring between noncommitted individuals. Also, a greater proportion of men than women indicated expectations to hookup while attending college. Implications for research, relationship and sexual health education, and policy are discussed
%K hooking up
%K emerging adulthood
%K noncommitted sex
%K gender differences
%K hookup definitions
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0743558417698571