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Who Is "Doing It"? Casual Sex and WellBeing in Singlehood.

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Title: Who Is "Doing It"? Casual Sex and WellBeing in Singlehood.
Authors: Amarakoon, Anuki (AUTHOR), Latimer, Nicholas (AUTHOR), MacDonald, Geoff (AUTHOR), Dawson, Samantha J. (AUTHOR)
Source: Personal Relationships. Dec2025, Vol. 32 Issue 4, p1-12. 12p.
Subjects: Well-being, Attachment behavior, Social dynamics, Solitude, Sexual excitement, Intimacy (Psychology), Promiscuity, Relationship quality
Abstract: The casual sex literature has mostly ignored the fact that casual sexual encounters typically occur in the broader context of lives lived single. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the casual sex experiences of single people. Using a discovery (Study 1, N = 747) and replication/extension (Study 2, N = 483) design, we investigated the frequency and characteristics of casual sexual relationships during singlehood and explored factors distinguishing singles who do and do not engage in casual sex in the domains of attachment, singlehood satisfaction, and wellbeing. Within our samples, 15.1% and 26.1% of singles reported being sexually active. These sexual relationships were characterized by limited exclusivity, low emotional closeness, and little interest in transitioning to a committed romantic relationship. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Personal Relationships is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Who Is "Doing It"? Casual Sex and WellBeing in Singlehood.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amarakoon%2C+Anuki%22">Amarakoon, Anuki</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Latimer%2C+Nicholas%22">Latimer, Nicholas</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22MacDonald%2C+Geoff%22">MacDonald, Geoff</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dawson%2C+Samantha+J%2E%22">Dawson, Samantha J.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Personal+Relationships%22">Personal Relationships</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 32 Issue 4, p1-12. 12p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well-being%22">Well-being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attachment+behavior%22">Attachment behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+dynamics%22">Social dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Solitude%22">Solitude</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sexual+excitement%22">Sexual excitement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intimacy+%28Psychology%29%22">Intimacy (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Promiscuity%22">Promiscuity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Relationship+quality%22">Relationship quality</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The casual sex literature has mostly ignored the fact that casual sexual encounters typically occur in the broader context of lives lived single. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the casual sex experiences of single people. Using a discovery (Study 1, N = 747) and replication/extension (Study 2, N = 483) design, we investigated the frequency and characteristics of casual sexual relationships during singlehood and explored factors distinguishing singles who do and do not engage in casual sex in the domains of attachment, singlehood satisfaction, and wellbeing. Within our samples, 15.1% and 26.1% of singles reported being sexually active. These sexual relationships were characterized by limited exclusivity, low emotional closeness, and little interest in transitioning to a committed romantic relationship. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Personal Relationships is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=190525969
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/pere.70045
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 12
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      – SubjectFull: Well-being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attachment behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social dynamics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Solitude
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sexual excitement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intimacy (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Promiscuity
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      – SubjectFull: Relationship quality
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      – TitleFull: Who Is "Doing It"? Casual Sex and WellBeing in Singlehood.
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            NameFull: Amarakoon, Anuki
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            NameFull: Latimer, Nicholas
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            NameFull: MacDonald, Geoff
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            NameFull: Dawson, Samantha J.
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              M: 12
              Text: Dec2025
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              Y: 2025
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