Positioning the booty-call relationship on the spectrum of relationships: sexual but more emotional than one-night stands

J Sex Res. 2011 Sep;48(5):486-95. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2010.497984. Epub 2011 May 24.

Abstract

Most research on human sexuality has focused on long-term pairbonds and one-night stands. However, growing evidence suggests there are relationships that do not fit cleanly into either of those categories. One of these relationships is a "booty-call relationship." The purpose of this study was to describe the sexual and emotional nature of booty-call relationships by (a) examining the types of emotional and sexual acts involved in booty-call relationships and (b) comparing the frequency of those acts in booty-call relationships to one-night stands and serious long-term relationships. In addition, the manner in which sociosexuality is associated with the commission of these acts was also examined. Demonstrative of booty-call relationships' sexual nature was individuals' tendency to leave after sex and infrequent handholding. In contrast, the romantic nature of booty-call relationships was demonstrated through the frequency of acts like kissing. The results suggest the booty-call relationship is a distinct type of relationship situated between one-night stands and serious romantic relationships.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Coitus / psychology*
  • Courtship / psychology*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Young Adult