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A longitudinal study of friends with benefits relationships
Author(s) -
Machia Laura V.,
Proulx Morgan L.,
Ioerger Michael,
Lehmiller Justin J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/pere.12307
Subject(s) - friendship , romance , psychology , longitudinal study , sexual relationship , developmental psychology , social psychology , transition (genetics) , outcome (game theory) , psychoanalysis , human sexuality , sociology , gender studies , statistics , mathematics , chemistry , biochemistry , mathematical economics , gene
Abstract Friends with benefits relationships (FWBRs) uniquely combine friendship with sexual activity but differ from romantic relationships in that they may be less likely to be exclusive or long lasting. A longitudinal analysis of the trajectory of FWBRs is presented, in which participants in FWBRs at Time 1 reported on their relationship outcomes at Time 2 ( N = 192). Results demonstrated that a plurality of FWBRs transitioned into having no relationship of any kind at Time 2 (31%). Those who wanted their FWBR to transition into a friendship typically obtained that outcome (59%), whereas those who wanted to transition into a romantic relationship did not (15%). Time 2 relationship status predictors and further implications of FWBR trajectories are discussed.