IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN CASUAL SEX AND POOR MENTAL HEALTH

Sex is pleasurable and fun, but casual sex is boring and intimidating. Poor mental health can lead to casual sex in a relationship. Herein is what you need to know about casual sex and poor mental health, including casual sex and mental health effects.

Casual sex is controversial as people have negative views of this sexual practice. More concern is focused on how casual sex can increase the risk of mental conditions. According to Bersamin et al. (2014), depression, anxiety, guilty feelings, low self-esteem, and self-doubt are the common mental impacts linked to casual sex. Below are what casual sex is, the mental effects it can lead to, and other key things.

What Is Casual Sex?

People engage in sex for various reasons like making love for healthier relationships, procreation, or exchange of Pleasure for material things. According to Farvid & Braun  (2013), casual sex with someone with you has no emotional or romantic attachment with is consensual sex. This type of sex does not stem or lead to bonds, emotions, feelings, and commitments. Casual sex can be of varying forms and have different names such as hook-ups, friends-with-benefits, no strings attached, booty calls, escort services, and one-night stands.

Anybody can participate in off-the-cuff sex, and the duration differs as some people may opt to try once while others make it a habit of having casual sex. The intercourse has no physical boundaries and might involve strangers, intimate friends, ex-lovers, workmates, casual acquaintances, uncommitted potential mates, and coworkers. According to Tucker (2012), casual sex can be random or planned before the meet-up, depending on the relation of the partners. It’s usually seen as the simplest way for one to feed their sexual demands beyond their emotional bracket without creating any emotional bonds.

Note These Things

Casual sex has been linked to sadness, anxiety, and low self-esteem by various researchers, healthcare providers, and media. Those working in the adult sector believe that people with an active casual sex life appear to overabundance of mental health problems. The strategy used in casual sex research is frequently suspect. It entails taking a group of people who have casual sex frequently and matching them to another group of people who do not practice casual sex. There are numerous studies on casual sex, with varying results that conflict with each other. Some studies report constant changes in how the mental effects of casual sex appear. For instance, people engaging in casual sex might have higher depression and low self-esteem issues than other individuals in romantic relationships. On no variations, the same off-the-cuff sex group might have high self-esteem and low depression cases. Such test findings indicate the relationship between the topics you research, casual sex, and mental health; it's more nuanced than it appears. It's likely that the ability of casual sex to inflict psychological harm varies among individuals and is influenced by personal and social circumstances. Also, consider motivation problems. There are factors motivating people to engage in casual sex. People can significantly improve their well-being when they do it for the right reasons. However, doing casual sex with wrong motives or intentions can blow your mental health and overall well-being. People can regard "good" choices to be "autonomous" in casual sex because they positively represent our underlying beliefs, but "wrong" aims are non-autonomous" because they are about gaining something in return or a sort of punishment.

The following are some independent causes for casual sex; adventuring different types of sexuality, Pleasure, amusement, friendship, and intimacy.

The following are some non-autonomous reasons for engaging in casual sex: Trying to make someone happy, Needing a favor, or sexual Revenge.

Most human acts, including sex, have a motivation. Casual sex will result in mental health problems if done for bad motives. Engaging in casual sex does not spike mental conditions by itself. Before diving into any form of casual sex, it's important to evaluate the reasons for the act and whether you should do it or not. Avoid casual sex if you have no clear motive or reason for the same, as it can trigger negative mental effects in the long run.

Mental Health Effects

Some individuals may separate their romantic wants from their sexual urges. However, many find it challenging to distinguish their emotions or feelings to determine what they need from casual sex. According to Hayes et al. (2004), women have difficulty avoiding emotional connections more than males and are more likely to experience negative mental effects. Most women get depressed and stressed as they regret and feel wasted or humiliated. Individuals may rush in without considering how they'll feel, only to be left with hurt sentiments, sorrow, a need for more from the relationship, or a sense of being dissatisfied with the experience. It's simple to tell oneself it is just intercourse, only for enjoyment, but it can be difficult for many people to keep their emotions in check. As a result, it's critical to be honest about your anticipations.

Casual sex partnerships can sometimes have a skewed power dynamic, with one partner yearning for more, whereas demands maintain things casual. Presumably, the person desiring more will be affected by this situation, increasing the risk of low self-esteem, stress, low self-image, self-doubt, anxiety, and despair. Unsafe sex may cause a person to experience negative mental effects when the habits extend longer than expected or if either participant feels compelled to undertake sexual actions against their will.  

Takeaway 

Casual sex can trigger the development of low self-esteem and emptiness feelings, worsen your guilty feelings, and make you feel worthless. You can use it to support yourself emotionally if you feel good and confident. Recognize that everyone is in a distant context, which may shift over time. The kind of intimate behavior you wish for depends on an individual. Determine your intentions, the type of casual sex you want to engage in, anticipate, and how long before engaging in casual sex.

References

Bersamin, M. M., Zamboanga, B. L., Schwartz, S. J., Donnellan, M. B., Hudson, 

M., Weisskirch, R. S., ... & Caraway, S. J. (2014). Risky Business: Is There An Association Between Casual Sex And Mental Health Among Emerging Adults?. Journal Of Sex Research, 51(1), 43-51.

Farvid, P., & Braun, V. (2013). Casual Sex As ‘Not A Natural Act’and Other 

Regimes Of Truth About Heterosexuality. Feminism & Psychology, 23(3), 359-378.

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., Wilson, K. G., Bissett, R. T., Pistorello, J., Toarmino, 

D., ... & Mccurry, S. M. (2004). Measuring Experiential Avoidance: A Preliminary Test Of A Working Model. The Psychological Record, 54(4), 553-578.

Tucker, J. S., Ryan, G. W., Golinelli, D., Ewing, B., Wenzel, S. L., Kennedy, D. 

P., ... & Zhou, A. (2012). Substance Use And Other Risk Factors For Unprotected Sex: Results From An Event-Based Study Of Homeless Youth. AIDS And Behavior, 16(6), 1699-1707.