The study also suggests college students may modify their own sexual behavior on spring break, so as to keep up with their misperceived notion of socio-sexual norms.
Researchers led by University of Washington psychologist Debra Kaysen report their findings in the latest issue of Prevention Science:
College students (N = 1,540; 53.9 % female) were asked to report descriptive normative perceptions of sex with casual partners, drinking prior to sex, number of drinks prior to sex, and condom use as well as their own Spring Break drinking and sexual behaviors. Students perceived the typical same-sex student to have engaged in more frequent sexual behavior for all outcomes than students' own self-reported sexual behavior. Furthermore, results revealed that these perceptions were positively associated with behavior. The choice of travel companion (friend(s) versus romantic partner) also differentially predicted sexual behaviors. Results suggested that intervention efforts aimed at reducing risks for Spring Break trip-takers may be strongest when they incorporate corrective normative information and target those traveling with friends.
In other news:
ht Vaughan Bell
Top photo via Shutterstock
onlinecollegedegreee.blogspot.com College kids think other spring breakers are having more sex than them