Over the past year I conducted research in the areas of Psychology and English, mainly applying concepts to the question: What makes hookup culture so enticing for young adults in collegiate settings? As a young adult myself, I had always wondered what the psychological connections were between this type of culture and feelings of fulfilment along with the tribulations of mental health. I began my research by reading and analyzing a plethora of psychology-based books that involved the notions of love and relationships. I simultaneously read and analyzed fictional books that depict love and relationships through various perspectives to get a better understanding of the phenomenon as a whole. My findings heavily correlated hookup culture with trends in alcohol and substance abuse, as well as mental turmoil in college students relating to stereotypical depictions of sexuality and gender, various complexes triggered by trauma, social media and online presence, etc. All of these findings were used as foundations for the final tangible project: a 7-chapter novel composed of seven diverse short stories about college students going through some form of hookup culture. I participated in heavy discussions about my readings, my findings, and my narratives with my mentor Margaret Luongo who played a large role in pushing me to dig deeper into the application of my findings. The final product serves as a comprehensive outlook into the complex minds of young adults as they navigate relationships in a time when influence and trends dominate personalities and actions. The making of this novel has taught me many things, though the most important is that this topic needs to be researched further. In the future, I plan to further my discovery and push the boundaries of comprehending and transcending this toxic culture through storytelling and intersectional research. I want my audience to feel like they aren’t alone in figuring out what it means to connect with others at such a pivotal time in their life.
Author: Janelle Hart
Faculty Advisor: Margaret Luongo, English
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