Hook-Up Sexual Experiences and Problem Behaviors Among Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 231378
• Journal: Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: July-August 2010 Pages: 261-278
• Author(s): Leanna Fortunato; Amy M. Young; Carol J. Boyd; Courtney E. Fons
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): R03 AA014601-01A1; R03 DA018272-01
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study documents the prevalence of hook-up sexual experiences and examines their relationship with problem behaviors among adolescents.

Abstract

This study focuses on the sexual phenomenon of "hooking up." A hook-up is defined as a single sexual encounter that may or may not include sexual intercourse with someone who is a stranger, brief acquaintance, or friend. The aim of this study was to document the prevalence of hook-ups in a sample of 1,011 urban middle and high school students and to examine the relationship between hooking up and a variety of problem behaviors, including, alcohol, cigarette, and/or illicit drug use, truancy, and school suspensions. The results revealed that 28 percent of the sample had engaged in at least one hook-up experience, and this percentage increased with age. Hook-ups were correlated moderately with all problem behaviors examined. Tables and references (Published Abstract)