A new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has found that women are more likely to experience regret after a one-night stand than men. The research, involving 263 students aged 19 to 37, revealed that 35% of women felt guilt after casual sex, compared to just 20% of men.
The study, which used two questionnaires administered 4.5 months apart, identified several reasons for the gender difference. Women were more concerned about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and were also more likely to be disappointed by the quality of their partner. Feelings of 'sexual disgust' were linked to higher levels of remorse.
Interestingly, regret did not appear to change future behaviour. Participants who reported regret were just as likely to engage in further casual sex. The researchers suggest that, unlike fear or disgust, regret may not serve a protective function, as it fails to prevent repeated actions.
The study also examined regret over missed opportunities. While 80% of women were happy about turning down casual sex, only 40% of men felt the same. The research was conducted before the Covid-19 pandemic.
