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Predictors of Positive and Negative Affect Following Casual Sex Jacqueline Woerner Wayne State University

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Predictors of Positive and Negative Affect Following Casual Sex Jacqueline Woerner Wayne State University Wayne State University Wayne State University Theses 1-1-2014 Predictors Of Positive And Negative Affect Following Casual Sex Jacqueline Woerner Wayne State University, Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Woerner, Jacqueline, "Predictors Of Positive And Negative Affect Following Casual Sex" (2014). Wayne State University Theses. Paper 359. This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wayne State University Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState. PREDICTORS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE AFFECT FOLLOWING CASUAL SEX by JACQUELINE WOERNER THESIS Submitted to the Graduate School of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS 2014 MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY (Cognitive, Developmental, & Social) Approved by: _____________________________________ Advisor Date ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to acknowledge my advisor, Dr. Toni Abbey for her unwavering support and mentorship. Her feedback and encouragement has been integral to my professional accomplishments, especially this thesis. I want to thank the other members of my thesis committee, Dr. Tim Bogg and Dr. Rich Slatcher, for their insight and guidance throughout this process. I would also like to thank Dr. Larry Williams for his statistical advice on this project, and my colleague Dr. Rhiana Wegner for all her help the past two years and serving as a great role model. I want to recognize the Wayne State University Graduate School and Department of Psychology for funding this research. Lastly, I want to acknowledge Bill Nye the Science Guy for showing me that “science rules”! ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... ii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... v List of Figures .................................................................................................................. vi CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1 Historical Background and Emergence of the Hookup Culture ............................. 1 Double Standards and Sexual Scripts .................................................................. 3 Current Casual Sex Norms ................................................................................... 5 Evolutionary Perspectives and Gender Differences in Casual Sex ...................... 8 Casual Sex Backlash and Consequences .......................................................... 10 The Current Study .............................................................................................. 11 Summary of Hypotheses .................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 2 – METHOD ............................................................................................... 25 Participants ......................................................................................................... 25 Procedures ......................................................................................................... 25 Measures ............................................................................................................ 26 CHAPTER 3 – RESULTS .............................................................................................. 32 Preliminary Data Analyses ................................................................................. 32 Tests of Hypotheses 1-6 ..................................................................................... 34 Preparation for Structural Equation Modeling ..................................................... 39 Structural Equation Modeling.............................................................................. 41 CHAPTER 4 - DISCUSSION ......................................................................................... 47 Interpretation of Findings .................................................................................... 48 iii Strengths and Limitations ................................................................................... 52 Suggestions for Future Research ....................................................................... 55 Practical Implications .......................................................................................... 57 Appendix A – Demographic Questionnaire ................................................................... 77 Appendix B – Casual Sexual Experiences .................................................................... 80 Appendix C – Sexual Assertiveness ............................................................................. 89 Appendix D – Traditional Gender Role Stereotypes ...................................................... 91 Appendix E – Impulsivity ............................................................................................... 92 Appendix F – Alcohol Use ............................................................................................. 94 Appendix G – Alcohol Expectancies ............................................................................. 96 Appendix H – Peer Approval of Casual Sex .................................................................. 98 References ................................................................................................................... 99 Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 113 Autobiographical Statement ........................................................................................ 114 iv LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Descriptive Statistics of Study Variables ......................................................... 60 Table 2: Descriptive Statistics of Study Variables: Comparison of Mechanical Turk and SONA .............................................................................................. 61 Table 3: Correlations among Study Variables: Scales and Model-Relevant Items ........ 62 Table 4: Correlations among Indicators......................................................................... 63 Table 5: Model Fit Indices ............................................................................................. 64 Table 6: CFA: Standardized Factor Correlations (Phi Matrix) ....................................... 65 Table 7: CFA: Standardized Factor Loadings (Lambda-X Matrix) ................................. 66 Table 8: Standardized Parameter Estimates of Theoretical Model ............................... 67 Table 9: Effects Decomposition for Theoretical Model of Study Variables on Positive Affect and Negative Affect ................................................................. 68 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Theoretical Model ........................................................................................... 69 Figure 2: Moderating Effect of Gender .......................................................................... 70 Figure 3: Curvilinear Effect of Alcohol Intoxication on Negative Affect .......................... 71 Figure 4: Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) ............................................................... 72 Figure 5: Structural Model ............................................................................................. 73 Figure 6: Structural Model (Full Sample) Standardized Estimates ................................ 74 Figure 7: Structural Model (Men Only) Standardized Estimates .................................... 75 Figure 8: Structural Model (Women Only) Standardized Estimates .............................. 76 vi 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Historical Background and Emergence of the Hookup Culture Sex is one of the most important forms of human interaction (Abramson & Pinkerton, 2002). Its purpose is clear and its relevance for our species’ continuation stands without question. Casual sex specifically can be defined as a sexual encounter or relationship that is often superficial, impulsive, and based on sexual desire or physical attraction (Regan & Dreyer, 1999). The relationship is normally not defined as romantic, and partners do not consider the person their boyfriend or girlfriend (Grello, Welsh & Harper, 2006). Casual sex is an act that typically involves little forethought and is based largely on immediate sexual gratification. The prevalence of casual sex throughout history is unclear. There is presumably a discrepancy between the true prevalence and reported prevalence of casual sex, especially in the past, due to risks of social consequences (Greenwood & Gruner, 2010). It is certainly not a new behavior, but the extent to which it has become commonplace and acceptable is an apparently new phenomenon. Premarital and extramarital sexual relationships have existed in most cultures throughout history, but the concepts of “no strings attached” and “friends with benefits” have presumably only been typical in recent decades. It was not until the introduction of the birth control pill and other effective methods of contraception in the mid-20th century that society saw a bifurcation of reproduction and sex for pleasure alone (Abramson & Pinkerton, 2002). This effectively contributed to the
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