The relationship between loneliness and factors related to sexual behaviors among male and female college students living in university housing

Abstract

This study was descriptive research which utilized a cross-sectional survey design to assess sexual behaviors, loneliness, and other factors related to risky sexual behavior of a random sample of male and female college students living in university housing. A great deal of research has been conducted on sexual behavior and loneliness among college students, but no studies have been identified that attempt to link the two. The two constructs share some similar attributes such as a connection with alcohol use and religious importance. A random sample of 1000 students, 487 men and 513 women, was selected from the 8800 students living in university housing at a large southwestern university. A survey developed by the researcher was used to collect information regarding sexually-related behaviors and loneliness status. The surveys were delivered by university housing staff to the randomly selected participants. Housing staff did not have any direct contact with the participants. The participants were guaranteed anonymity as no name appeared on the survey or the return envelope. The response rate for the survey was 383 returned surveys, or 38.3%. The survey contained sensitive questions that may have caused some of the participants to discard the survey. Low response rate on mailed and sensitive surveys is not unusual. It is recognized that generalizing the results of a survey with low response rate to the larger population is questionable. Responses were recorded on a scantron sheet by the participant. The surveys were scanned into a computer account and the data were prepared for analysis. Initial chi-square and t-tests were completed to identify any gender differences. Multiple regression equations and simple correlations were utilized to test the stated hypotheses. An alpha level of.05 was set apriori. The results revealed that loneliness was not directly correlated with sexual risk score, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol use, or number of sexual partners. It was negatively correlated with religious importance among women. In addition, loneliness displayed significant contribution to the variance in religious importance and frequency of alcohol use.