Mental Health

Freshman Twice As Likely to Have Unprotected Sex

By Christine Hsu | Update Date: Oct 16, 2014 08:55 PM EDT

Freshman students are more promiscuous than ever, according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed differences between freshman, sophomore, junior and senior students.

Researchers were curious about the changes in undergraduate uncommitted sexual behaviors through the four-year of college. After accounting for family background, school gender imbalance, and whether the partners attend the same college, researchers found that freshman are twice as likely to have unprotected sex. Interestingly, freshmen from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds were significantly more likely than those from more advantaged backgrounds to use condoms. However, there were no differences in condom use during sophomore year, according to researchers.

Researchers noted that the latest findings support the perception that college is a safe haven, which might encourage unprotected sex.

The study, "Casual Contraception in Casual Sex: Life-Cycle Change in Undergraduates' Sexual Behavior in Hookups" was published in the journal Social Forces.

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