Negotiating a Friends with Benefits Relationship

Bisson, Melissa A.; Levine, Timothy R.

doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9211-2

Cited by 229 publications

(247 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…In Australia, the incidence of STIs is considerably higher in this age group than in older groups [16] and recent increases in new HIV infections have been greatest among 20-29 year old gay men and other MSM [16]. In addition, the younger generation is particularly known for embracing ideas around having sex with friends (commonly referred to as "friends-with-benefits") [27], which may encourage sexual concurrency. The present study had two main objectives: 1) to provide data on 12-month prevalence of sexual concurrency in a national online sample, including unprotected sex with concurrent partners, and; 2) to identify sociodemographic, sexual behavior, and sexual health correlates of concurrency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Partner Concurrency Among Australian Gay Men Aged 18–39 Years

Lyons

Hosking

2013

AIDS Behav

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Mathematical models predict higher rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in populations with higher rates of concurrent sexual partnerships. Although gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have disproportionately high rates of HIV/STIs, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of sexual concurrency in these populations. This paper reports findings from a national community-based survey of 1,034Australian gay-identified men aged 18-39 years, who gave detailed information about their sexual partners over the past 12 months. In all, 237 (23%) reported two or more concurrent sexual partners. For their most recent period of concurrency, 44% reported three or more partners and 66% reported unprotected sex with one or more of their partners. A multivariate logistic regression found sexual concurrency was significantly more likely among men on higher incomes (P=0.02), who first had anal sex at a relatively young age (P=0.03), and who reported a large number of partners in the past 12 months (P<0.001). Age, education, HIV status, and other sociodemographic and sexual behavior variables were not significant correlates. However, men who reported sexual concurrency were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months (P=0.04). Findings from this study suggest sexual concurrency is common among younger Australian gay men. With many of these men not always using condoms, health agencies should consider the potential impact of concurrency on HIV/STI epidemics among gay men and other MSM. KeywordsSexual concurrency; concurrent sexual partnerships; gay men; men who have sex with men;HIV; sexually transmitted infections 3

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Partner Concurrency Among Australian Gay Men Aged 18–39 Years

Lyons

Hosking

2013

AIDS Behav

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“…''Friends with benefits'' (FWB) is a new relational style that blends aspects of friendship and physical intimacy (prevalence rates range from approximately 33% to 60%; Afifi & Faulkner, 2000;Bisson & Levine, 2009;Glenn & Marquardt, 2001;Hughes, Morrison, & Asada, 2005;Puentes, Knox, & Zusman, 2008). Similar to traditional friendships, FWB relationships include mutual understanding, support, companionship, and bond ing through activities (Sprecher & Regan, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dual desire for physical and emotional connection without commitment can motivate young adults to start FWB relationships and they report that this element is advantageous (Bisson & Levine, 2009;Hughes et al, 2005). However, FWB can complicate friendship through the development of a deeper emotional bond and connection (Glenn & Marquardt, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, FWB can complicate friendship through the development of a deeper emotional bond and connection (Glenn & Marquardt, 2001). Also, FWB relationships are associated with moderate levels of intimacy and low levels of passion and commitment in comparison to other committed relationships (Bisson & Levine, 2009). Stanley, Rhoades, and Markman (2006) offered a model to explain the risks related to how relationships start and transition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Gender and Psychosocial Factors on “Friends with Benefits” Relationships Among Young Adults

Owen

Fincham

2010

Arch Sex Behav

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Friends with benefits relationships (FWB) are a blend of friendship and physical intimacy outside of a committed romantic relationship. This study examined young adults' (n = 889) engagement in, and reactions to, a FWB relationship in the past year based on their gender, psychological distress, alcohol use, and relationship attitudes. Men (54.3%) were more likely than women (42.9%) to report at least one FWB relationship and both men and women reported that FWB relationships were associated with more positive emotional reactions than negative ones although this difference was larger for men. Greater alcohol use was related to engaging in a FWB relationship and this relationship was stronger for women. Further, thoughtfulness about relationship decisions moderated the relationship between alcohol use and engaging in FWB relationships, and again this moderation effect was stronger for women than men. Young adults with more psychological distress and who felt constrained in the FWB relationship were more likely to report negative emotional reactions. Implications for psychoeducational programs and future research are offered.

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“…Therefore, a potential direction for future research is to consider the mate preferences of individuals of differing sexual orientation in relationships that do not fall into the dichotomised categorised of 'long-term' and 'shortterm'. Exploring necessities of individuals of differing sexual orientations in relationships such as 'booty-calls' (Jonason et al, 2009), 'fuck buddies' (Wentland & Reissing, 2011), and 'friends with benefits' (Bisson & Levine, 2009) will provide further clarification of the necessities of mates in all forms of relationships.…”

Section: Additional Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex, Sexual Orientation, and the Necessity of Physical Attractiveness and Social Level in Long-Term and Short-Term Mates

2015

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In comparison to biological sex differences and mate preferences, differences in sexual orientation and mate preferences have received limited attention in the literature. The aim of the current experiment was to explore the relationship between biological sex and sexual orientation on the necessity of a longterm and short-term mate's physical attractiveness and social level. Three hundred and seven participants recruited from an Australian university and the wider community completed an online questionnaire assessing necessities of mate characteristics. Results of independent-measures ANOVAS showed that heterosexual men considered a long-term mate's physical attractiveness significantly more of a necessity than heterosexual women. Additionally, individuals of a homosexual sexual orientation considered the social level of a longterm mate significantly more of a necessity than individuals with a heterosexual sexual orientation, but not individuals of a bisexual sexual orientation. Finally, results showed that individuals of a heterosexual sexual orientation considered the physical attractiveness of a short-term mate significantly more of a necessity than did individuals of a homosexual sexual orientation and individuals of a bisexual sexual orientation. Results of the current study suggest research should not just assume equivalence of mate preferences between individuals of differing sexual orientations.

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Negotiating a Friends with Benefits Relationship

Cited by 229 publications

References 16 publications

Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Partner Concurrency Among Australian Gay Men Aged 18–39 Years

Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Partner Concurrency Among Australian Gay Men Aged 18–39 Years

Effects of Gender and Psychosocial Factors on “Friends with Benefits” Relationships Among Young Adults

Sex, Sexual Orientation, and the Necessity of Physical Attractiveness and Social Level in Long-Term and Short-Term Mates

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