A Prospective Study of Predictors and Consequences of Hooking Up for Sexual Minority Women

Abstract

Hooking up, which refers to a sexual encounter (ranging from kissing to penetrative sex) between individuals who are not in a committed relationship, is an increasingly normative form of sexual exploration among emerging adults. Past research has focused on hookups within a heteronormative context, and some of this work has examined hookups as a way to cope with distress. Building on this work, we examined the role of hookups as a means for lesbian and bisexual women to cope with minority stress through increasing connection and engagement with the LGBTQ (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer or questioning) community. A nationally recruited sample of 520 lesbian and bisexual women ages 18 to 25 years completed questionnaires regarding their hookup behaviors as part of a longitudinal study. Childhood sexual abuse, posttraumatic stress symptoms, alcohol use, minority stress, and involvement and connectedness with the LGBTQ community were also assessed. First, regression analyses were used to examine baseline predictors of hookup behaviors reported at a 12-month follow-up. Findings revealed that alcohol use was associated with a greater likelihood of any subsequent hookups, and individuals reporting more minority stress subsequently hooked up with more partners. Second, hookup behaviors at 12 months were examined as predictors of outcomes at a 24-month follow-up, after controlling for baseline variables. Findings revealed that hookup behaviors were associated with reduced minority stress as well as increased involvement with and connectedness to the LGBTQ community, suggesting hookups may serve a protective function. Overall, findings support the notion that, for sexual minority women, hookups may operate as a means of coping and connection.

“This is Real, This is the Way that Things are”: Hooking up as a Pathway for Sexual Identity Development Among SGM Emerging Adults

“…Another participant stated hooking up with straight men required them to reinforce and affirm their SGM membership; they needed their straight partners to know that even though they could pass for being straight (they presented as female), they identified as a member of the SGM community. Our findings support recent evidence suggesting SGM young people claim membership with other SGM individuals and the SGM community through hooking up (Byron et al, 2021; Jaffe et al, 2021). Because supportive friendships and feelings of connectedness in SGM specific communities are associated with positive psychological adjustment (i.e., less depressive symptoms and greater feelings of self-esteem and life satisfaction; Toomey et al, 2018), hooking up could serve as a protective function for some SGM emerging adults.…”

“…; Jaffe et al, 2020; Parchem et al, 2021) that are devoid of commitment and usually do not lead to romantic relationships (Authors, 2015). Although prior literature has focused on experiences and outcomes related to hookups, most has not focused on SGM young people (see Jaffe et al, 2021 and Byron et al, 2021 for exceptions). However, scholars suggest that hooking up may inform sexual orientation-specific development for SGM youth (see Authors, 2017 for a review).…”

Sexual minority behavioral health outcomes: The role of identity authenticity and self-regulation.

“…However, no such relationship was found with alcohol and drug use. Findings regarding identity authenticity and sexual compulsivity are consistent with other research indicating connections between identity authenticity (i.e., identity positivity and outness) and risky sexual behaviors (Jaffe et al, 2021; Nappa et al, 2021). It is unclear what underlies discrepant results across outcomes given the observed relationship between facets of identity and substance use behaviors (see Dorn-Medeiros & Doyle, 2018; Puckett et al, 2017).…”

“…However, no such relationship was found with alcohol and drug use. Findings regarding identity authenticity and sexual compulsivity are consistent with other research indicating connections between identity authenticity (i.e., identity positivity and outness) and risky sexual behaviors (Jaffe et al, 2021;Nappa et al, 2021).…”