THE ROLE OF FRIENDSHIP SUPPORT IN EMERGING ADULTS’ RISKY SEXUAL DECISION-MAKING: A TEST OF THE REGRET REGULATION THEORY
Open Access
- Author:
- Lucas, Alysa Ann
- Graduate Program:
- Communication Arts and Sciences
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- July 21, 2009
- Committee Members:
- Jon F Nussbaum, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Jon F Nussbaum, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Dennis Stephen Gouran, Committee Member
Denise Haunani Solomon, Committee Member
Mary Beth Oliver, Committee Member - Keywords:
- regret regulation theory
support
friendship
sexual decision-making - Abstract:
- Responsible sexual decision-making is a critical step in assuring a healthy life. College-aged individuals, highly at-risk for unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, often face this situation. Since the decision concerning whether or not to participate in risky sexual behaviors can be difficult to make in isolation, college-aged individuals may turn to their friends for assistance. Previous research validates the potential influence of friends on one’s sexual behavior. Because friends are valued candidates for consultation when making difficult decisions, it is critical to understand how the role of friendship communication may influence sexual behavior. This dissertation had three goals all focused on analyzing the ways in which sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies can be prevented among college-aged individuals. The first was to apply the regret regulation theory to interpersonal college-aged friendships. The regret regulation theory proposes that individuals will evaluate the possibility of experiencing regret, often with significant others, when decisions are important. The second goal was to test the parts of the theory relating to the anticipation of regret. The theory suggests that individuals will regulate regret according to levels of anticipated regret. Finally, the third goal was to acquire information concerning social support among friends during conversations involving sexual decision-making. Two foundational studies and one main study contributed to the pursuit of these goals. Study 1 was an investigation of the sexual decision-making conversation of college-aged individuals with their friends as well as the types of social support provided during these conversations. The data were used to generate twenty-four scenarios based on the contextual details provided by the participants in conjunction with varying levels of anticipated regret and social support. Study 2 was a survey involving six scenarios in which a sample of participants rated events for typicality and relational importance to their friendships. Study 3 entailed use of a 2 (anticipated regret: low and high) x 2 (social support: positive and negative) design with participants completing measures of friendship quality, as well as sexual disclosures and behavior. In addition, the participants reviewed, rated, and responded to the hypothetical scenario identified as the most typical - one depicting a conversation among friends about whether or not to engage in a hook-up. The participants’ intentions to engage in the hook-up and to seek friend’s input in the future were also matters of interest. The results of the studies indicated that college-aged individuals make sexual decisions both with and without the assistance of their same-sex friends. Participants rated the hypothetical scenarios detailing sexual decision conversations as typical, although not highly important to their friendships. The initial test of regret regulation theory revealed that anticipated regret was a strong predictor of intentions to engage in sexual behavior. The interaction effects were not significant; however, which indicated issues with its utility for the sexual decision-making process as related to emerging adulthood friendship consultation and support. The analyses showed positive social support to be a strong predictor for participants who reported strong intentions to seek a friend’s advice in the future. Open-ended data reinforced this finding with esteem (ego) support reported being communicated most frequently during sexual decision conversations. Sex differences indicated that male college-aged individuals had greater expressed inclinations to engage in the behavior; females had greater intentions to seek the friend’s advice in the future and also reported higher levels of anticipated regret than males. The findings of each study are discussed with a particular focus on how the studies contribute to the existing research in the sexuality and communication fields. Theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions of this dissertation are outlined while also noting the importance of studying the role of friendship especially during a time period critical to the development of one’s sexual identity and skills necessary for later romantic relationships. Finally, the limitations of this dissertation are acknowledged, and future directions for research involving sexual decision-making are proposed.