Expectancies specific to condom use mediate the alcohol and sexual risk relationship.
The present study tested the role of alcohol expectancies for condom use in mediating the alcohol and risky sex relationship. Expectancies for condom use are specific anticipations for alcohol's effect on one's ability to use a condom. College students (N = 563) reported on beliefs, intentions and actual sexual and drinking behavior. Among the sexually active, alcohol was directly related to future intention to use a condom in drinking situations for men, but not for women. In the men, alcohol expectancies for condom use mediated the relationship between drinking and condom intention. Beliefs that alcohol negatively impacts one's ability to use condoms were associated with more drinking and lower intentions to use a condom. These expectancies may help explain how alcohol affects risky sex in men. Gender differences and implications are discussed.
LaBrie
Joseph W
JW
Loyola Marymount University, PO Box 45041, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA. jlabrie@lmu.edu
Schiffman
Jason
J
Earleywine
Mitchell
M
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology