Abstract
Emotional support is widely known as a protective factor while experiencing stress (Killian, 2008; Chao, 2011; Arria et. al, 2009). Intimacy or the culture of “hooking up” is a concept that has been less recognized or studied as a buffer for stress (Armstrong et. al., 2012). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between intimacy and graduate student stress. This quantitative research examined graduate level social work students at California State University, Sacramento using five scales to assess stress level, intimacy level, beliefs about hooking up, social support and self-care utilization. The students’ scores were used to assess their stress level in correlation to other variables such as intimacy and social support. Most students reported having high levels of social support with a mean score of 49.9 out of 60 during their graduate careers. There was no significant correlation between their beliefs about hooking up and intimacy and stress level (r=.187) (p=.170). There was a weak to moderate correlation (r=.417) and statistical significance (p=.001) between the student’s age and acceptance of “hooking up”. As students age increased their acceptance of “hooking up” decreased. This research study is one of the few that has explored alternative coping methods of intimacy for stress. The implications for social work practice and recommendations for future research are also discussed