Hook-up culture and mental health. At the same time, participants who reported fewer depressive symptoms and fewer feelings of loneliness who engaged in penetrative sex hookups subsequently reported an increase in both depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness (Owen et al., 2011).

How do hookups affect mental health?

College students who recently engaged in casual sex reported lower levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and happiness compared to those who had not had casual sex in the past month. And students who recently engaged in hookups had higher distress scores as indicated by levels of depression and anxiety.

Why hooking up is bad for mental health?

Those who hooked up for the wrong reasons (High Nonautonomy group) had lower self-esteem, higher depression and anxiety, and more physical health symptoms compared to those who didnt hook up.

Are one-night stands wrong?

Research shows most women regret one-night stands. Apart from not enjoying the experience, there is a host of other health and safety risks associated with having sex with a stranger, says Áilín Quinlan. In fact, she says, research shows that only one in three women expressed satisfaction after a one-night stand.