Partner Influence on Alcohol Use and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Young Adults: A Narrative Review of Sex Motives and Intentions

Risky sexual behavior (RSB) and alcohol use (AU) are strongly linked among young adults and contribute to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and other adverse health outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes literature examining how partners influence AU and RSB among young adults, with attention to motives and intentions. Across studies, enhancement, coping, and partner-related motives emerged as predictors of AU and RSB. Alcohol intoxication was also associated with impaired sexual decision-making and increased willingness to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Evidence suggests that partners influence drinking motives, sexual motives, and behavioral intentions through modeling, reinforcement, relationship dynamics, and social norms. However, heterogeneity was observed in how AU and RSB were conceptualized and measured, and associations varied across individual, motivational, and relational contexts, including partner type and familiarity, alcohol-related expectancies, and relationship motivations. The literature is limited by the predominance of cross-sectional designs, insufficient attention to dyadic processes, and limited inclusion of sexual and gender minority populations. Overall, findings suggest that AU and RSB should be understood as individual behaviors, as well as behaviors embedded within relational contexts. Greater attention to partner influence may inform targeted dyadic and relationship-based prevention interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related sexual risk among young adults.