A recent research carried out at the University of Minnesota has revealed that youngsters who engage in casual sex do not seem to be at a high risk of marring psychological effects, as compared to sexually active young adults who are in more committed relationships. While the study specifically focuses on psychological aspects, researchers have been quick to assert that the physical risks of engaging in causal sexual encounters should not be overlooked.

For the sake of study, data was picked up from an ongoing research; the Project Eating among Teens, and diverse samples of as many as 1,311 sexually active youngsters was assessed. From the years 2003 to 2004, 574 men and 737 women across Minnesota, with an average age of about 20.5, were surveyed with regards to their sexual behavior and emotional well-being.

Of all the subjects, 55% said that their last sexual partner was an exclusive dating partner, 25% said the most recent encounter was with a fiancée, spouse, or life partner, 12% said that the last partner was close to them but not exclusive and 8% said that the last partner was a casual acquaintance. Analysis of the data collected led the study researchers to conclude that there was no difference in the "psychological wellbeing of young adults who had a casual sexual partner verses a more committed partner".

Twice as many men in the study said that their last sexual partner was casual as compared to women.