Date of Award

Summer 8-25-2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Patricia Hopkins-Smith PhD

Second Advisor

Dr. Abigail Hughes-Scalise PhD

Abstract

Prior research has evaluated the impact of casual sex on mental health outcomes; however, there is a lack of research on the possible moderating effects of personality traits on this relationship. Thus, the purpose of this study was to clarify whether personality traits -specifically extraversion and neuroticism- are protective or risk factors for symptoms of anxiety and depression among individuals who engage in casual sexual behaviors, particularly in college-aged individuals. Using a cross-sectional design, 108 participants who met survey criteria completed self-report measures assessing casual sex behavior, the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, the International Big-Five Mini- Markers, and demographic questions. Moderation analyses were conducted to explore the interplay between these variables. The findings indicated no significant associations between casual sex behaviors and symptoms of depression and anxiety, nor a moderating effect of extraversion or neuroticism on these relationships. These findings align with prior studies suggesting limited or no direct mental health impact of casual sex on mental health (Eisenberg et al., 2009; Siebenbruner, 2015) but highlight the need for continued investigation into which individual and contextual factors influence why some individuals are affected while others are not.

Identifier

SC 11.PsyD.2025.Harris.D.J.

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