Barriers to Condom Use and Safer Sex Talk among College Dating Couples

Bibliographic Data

ID12396458
AuthorsDavid W Seal (0000-0002-5802-7148, Center for Clinical Studies, corresponding author), DEBORAH A PALMER-SEAL (University of New Mexico)
Year1996
Volume6
Issue1
Pages15-33
Publication date1996-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community & Applied Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1052-9284 • E-ISSN: 1099-1298
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/(sici)1099-1298(199602)6:1<15::aid-casp352>3.0.co;2-2
OpenAlexW1978946689
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited20

Using an open-ended questionnaire response format, this study examined self-generated barriers to condom use and safer sex talk among 119 heterosexual college dating couples at the University of New Mexico (total N=238). Data were collected from both members of these dyads. Reasons for abstaining from intercourse were also elicited. Several general response categories emerged including no perceived risk; spontaneity; deliberate choice; negative attitudes; and a lack of perceived self-efficacy for enacting condom use and safer sex discussion. Explanations for abstinence included religious/moral prohibitions; lack of readiness for intercourse; and a fear of being emotionally hurt. Few differences emerged across gender, ethnicity (Caucasian vs Hispanic), and prior sexual experience (participant had intercourse prior to current relationship vs did not). Selected reasons for not using a condom and/or discussing safer sex (e.g. partner is monogamous) were cross-validated with the self-reported behavior of the respondent's dating partner. In general, participants reasons for perceived non-risk were not supported by their partner's reported behavior. Implications of these findings for sexual risk reduction programs include: establishing realistic goals for safer sex behavior and talk within committed relationships, acknowledging the impact of passion on safer sex, and addressing knowledge gaps in risk perception

Abstinence · Condom · Developmental psychology · Ethnic group · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Perception · Psychiatry · Respondent · Risk perception · SAFER · Safer sex · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Demography · Social Psychology

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