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Being Friends With Benefits Only Gets Serious 15 Percent Of The Time

by Gillian Fuller
Screen Gems

Hoping to turn that f*ck buddy into a boyfriend in time for spring picnics and summer walks on the beach?

Sorry to say, but you're probably out of luck.

According to a recent study, only 15 percent of friends with benefits end up falling into a real relationship after a year.

The study surveyed 191 people (mostly white, straight women) with an average age of 30 who'd recently been in -- or were currently in -- a friends-with-benefits relationship.

After a years' time, just over a quarter were still romantically involved with their hookup buddy, while 28 percent reported still being friends with their partner, but not romantically.

Sadly, after a year, the majority -- 31 percent -- were no longer involved with their previous hookup buddy in any capacity, romantic or otherwise.

The friends-with-benefits relationships that had specific ground rules set were more likely to remain friends after ending the intimate involvement (or return to friendship at a later date).

Less communication, unsurprisingly, had an opposite effect and was found to be correlated with an increased likelihood of never becoming friends again.

The study did not venture to guess why some friends-with-benefits relationships do work and why others don't.

The bottom line: Friendship hookups are messy -- if you're looking for no strings attached, you're better off with a one-night stand.

Citations: Can friends with benefits turn into more only for 15 percent of people says new study (Bustle)