The Association Between Alcohol Use and Engagement in Casual Sexual Relationships and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic Review of Non-Experimental Studies

Abstract

The present study provides a meta-analytic review of the association between alcohol use and engagement in casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs). Specifically, the meta-analysis focused on non-experimental studies of community and college samples. Results from the meta-analysis, which included 29 relevant studies (34 effect sizes), indicated that alcohol use was significantly associated with engaging in CSREs, r = .34, 95 % CI [.29-.38], but that this link showed considerable variability. Subsequent analyses examined moderators that may explain this heterogeneity. Results revealed that age and method of assessment significantly moderated the effect of alcohol use on CSRE engagement such that the association was greater for emerging adults (18-24 year olds) than older adults and online assessments produced greater effect sizes than paper-and-pencil assessments. These results have implications for future research and intervention development. In particular, this meta-analysis emphasizes the need for studies that utilize consistent measurements of CSRE engagement, include diverse methodology, and expand upon sampling.

The influence of groups and alcohol consumption on individual risk-taking

“…Indeed, there are a variety of behaviours which have the possibility of resulting in negative consequences that appear to become more prevalent following alcohol consumption (Lane et al, 2004). These include risky choices when driving (Burian, Hensberry, & Liguori, 2003;Fillmore, Blackburn, & Harrison, 2008;Laude & Fillmore, 2016), gambling (Bidwell et al, 2013;Lyvers, Mathieson, & Edwards, 2015), and in sexual situations such as unprotected sex (Claxton, DeLuca, & van Dulmen, 2015;Lyvers, Cholakians, Puorro, & Sundram, 2011;Scott-Sheldon et al, 2016). In order to better understand the nature of the association between alcohol consumption and risk taking, it is therefore beneficial to consider separately the different domains of risk typically measured in research.…”

Psychological Well-Being as a Predictor of Casual Sex Relationships and Experiences among Adolescents: A Short-Term Prospective Study

“…Because of the "double standard", girls may think that it is more acceptable to be sexually promiscuous while intoxicated, placing the responsibility for their sexual decisions on consumption, thereby reducing the risk of negative appraisals from peers (Beres & Farvid, 2010). In particular, girls who are involved in frequent drug use and who continue to engage in ONSs may have a tendency toward impulsiveness or a deficit in self-regulation (Winters, Botzet, Fahnhorst, Baumel, & Lee, 2009), which may lead them to frequently use substances and engage in sexual contacts with multiple unknown partners (Claxton et al, 2015).…”

“…Given that alcohol use has been found to be related to depression and suicidality in adolescents (Hallfors et al, 2004;Schulte & Hser, 2014), weekly alcohol consumption among boys may be an externalized symptom of lower psychological well-being. Because conduct disorder for boys and substance abuse increase by middle adolescence (Costello, Mustillo, Erkanli, Keeler, & Angold, 2003), assessing different behavioral problems, such as violence against others, delinquency, truancy, or impulsivity and/or risk taking, would help to determine whether involvement in multiple CSREs, especially ONSs, and frequent alcohol consumption are part of a constellation of psychosocial and behavioral problems (Claxton et al, 2015;Grello et al, 2003;Fortunato, Young, Boyd, & Fons, 2010).…”

“…However, alcohol or drug use may be a behavioral expression of a lower psychological well-being (Hallfors et al, 2004;Schulte & Hser, 2014). Moreover, alcohol consumption is one of the strongest predictors of CSREs among young adults (Claxton et al, 2015). In a cohort of adolescents, it was associated with more CSREs in emerging adulthood (Johnson, 2013;Johnson & Chen, 2014).…”

“…Second, we distinguished two forms of CSREs: one-night stands (ONSs) and friends with benefits (FWB) relationships because they are reportedly the most common forms of CSREs (Claxton, DeLuca, & Van Dulmen, 2015). Most research on psychological well-being factors associated with CSREs has failed to distinguish among forms of CSREs.…”