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Relationship-Specific Condom Attitudes Predict Condom Use Among STD Clinic Patients with both Primary and Non-primary Partners

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Abstract

Although condom use differs by partner type (i.e., primary vs. non-primary partner), attitudes towards condom use are typically measured without consideration of partner type. This study investigated the predictive utility of condom attitudes measured separately by partner type. Participants were 270 patients (37 % women, 72 % Black) recruited from a publicly-funded STD clinic who reported having both primary and non-primary partners. They completed a computerized survey assessing relationship-specific condom attitudes by partner type, condom attitudes related to pleasure and respect, and condom use with primary and non-primary partners. Participants reported more positive relationship-specific condom attitudes with a non-primary versus primary partner. When considering pleasure-related, respect-related, and relationship-specific condom attitudes simultaneously, only relationship-specific condom attitudes predicted unprotected sex, with both primary and non-primary partners. In general, pleasure and respect-related condom attitudes did not predict unprotected sex; however, pleasure-related attitudes predicted unprotected sex with a non-primary partner for men. Future research should assess relationship-specific condom attitudes. Sexual risk reduction interventions that address interpersonal consequences of condom use in both primary and non-primary relationships should be a priority.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant No. R01-068171 to Michael P. Carey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Ave., Providence, RI, 02906, USA

    Theresa E. Senn, Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon & Michael P. Carey

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Theresa E. Senn, Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon & Michael P. Carey

  3. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Michael P. Carey

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  1. Theresa E. Senn
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  2. Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon
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  3. Michael P. Carey
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Correspondence to Theresa E. Senn.

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Senn, T.E., Scott-Sheldon, L.A.J. & Carey, M.P. Relationship-Specific Condom Attitudes Predict Condom Use Among STD Clinic Patients with both Primary and Non-primary Partners. AIDS Behav 18, 1420–1427 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0726-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0726-y

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