Adolescent relationships and condom use: trust, love and commitment.
Research indicates that people use condoms less often with a regular sexual partner than with a casual partner because they believe condoms are not needed. This article reports qualitative findings from four group meetings and 11 in-depth interviews in which sexually experienced inner-city adolescents aged 14-17 talked about their sexual relationships. Three types of relationships were described: messing, for sex only; boy-girlfriend, a more intense relationship, and "hubby-wifey," which mimics marriage. The four types of relationships differ along four analytic dimensions, which give them meaning: future commitment; public vs. secret; expectation of monogamy; and degree of affection and love. Decisions about condom use are influenced by these dimensions which may be underestimated in theoretical models that focus on individuals, not couples.
Bauman
Laurie J
LJ
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. bauman@aecom.yu.edu
Berman
Rebecca
R
D000293:Adolescent; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data