A comprehensive scientific study has explored the effects of casual sex on mental health for those who are single, compared to those who opt to abstain from sexual partners in favor of solo activities.
You’ve likely heard your single friends express discontent after a disappointing casual encounter, vowing to forgo sex entirely – but does casual sex always have negative implications for those who are single?
The study acknowledges that partnered sexual activity is typically examined within romantic relationships. It seeks to understand how engaging in casual sexual relationships affects individuals’ mental wellbeing.
Published in the journal Personal Relationships, the study investigates the mental health changes in single individuals who are not pursuing sexual relationships, as opposed to those who engage in casual sex.
But what drives the decision to engage in casual sex in the first place?
The study identifies motives such as ‘pleasure, attraction, connection, and stress reduction’ as primary reasons singles might seek sexual experiences outside of romantic relationships.
Attachment style also significantly influences whether individuals choose to engage in casual sex and whether it enhances their psychological wellbeing, potentially making it a preferable alternative to being single and focused on self-pleasure.
What does the research reveal about the impact of casual sex on mental health?
The research involved two separate studies. The first included 747 participants aged 20 to 59 years, all of whom were single.
Participants were asked for detailed information about any sexual or romantic connections they had and the nature of these connections.
They were then assessed on their attachment style, from avoidant-attached to anxious-attached, and asked about their satisfaction with their relationship status, desire for a partner, fear of being single, sexual satisfaction, perceived ‘mate value,’ life satisfaction, and tendencies toward depression symptoms.
The study found that a minority engaged in casual sexual relationships, with 61.9 percent of these individuals describing their partner as ‘a friend, friends with benefits, or ex-romantic partner.’
The study determined that those in casual sexual relationships reported lower attachment avoidance and anxiety compared to singles not in such relationships.
Participants in casual sexual relationships experienced higher satisfaction with their relationship status, less desire for a partner, a lower fear of being single, greater sexual satisfaction, higher perceived mate value, fewer depressive symptoms, and overall better life satisfaction.
The second study involved a different group of 483 participants and featured more specific questions. The findings were consistent with the first study.
The study concluded: “Across both studies, singles engaging in casual sex reported lower attachment avoidance, greater sexual satisfaction, and higher self-perceived mate value compared to those not sexually active, challenging previous research linking casual sex participation with negative outcomes.”
“Considering casual sex as one part of lives lived single may provide a clearer picture of both decisions around casual sex opportunities and thriving during singlehood.”
The findings also extended to attachment styles, with both studies demonstrating that singles in casual sexual relationships reported ‘lower levels of attachment avoidance,’ indicating they were ‘generally more comfortable with intimacy and closeness than their sexually inactive peers.’
“This finding contradicts some previous theories that suggest avoidant individuals might seek casual sex to bypass emotional connection.”
So, whether you’re using Tinder, Grindr, Bumble, or Feeld, go ahead and explore your options.