Sex and Uncertainty: A Turning Point Analysis of Friends with Benefits Relationships

The goal of the current study was to study friends with benefit relationships by using a turning point analysis to identify significant changes in uncertainty in the lifespan of the relationship. Results revealed five turning point categories: first sex, unreciprocated feelings, quality time together, feeling special, and the threat of another. Turning points consistently influenced relational uncertainty. Levels of uncertainty increased with spending time together and feeling special. Levels of uncertainty decreased with unreciprocated feelings and the threat of another. Turning points also created changes in relational satisfaction and closeness. First sex, feeling special, and spending time together were turning points that associated with increases in both relational satisfaction and closeness. The turning points of unreciprocated feelings and the threat of another were associated with decreases in relational satisfaction and closeness. Three patterns were found that reflect changes in uncertainty over the lifespan of the relationship. Uncertainty decreased linearly, increased linearly, or oscillated in the friends with benefit relationships.