Relational commitment and threats to relationship maintenance goals: influences on condom use.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined the effects of relational commitment (high commitment versus low commitment) and relationship maintenance goals (high threat versus low threat) on decisions to request the use of a condom.


METHODS
The authors conducted a 2-part study using a survey of responses to hypothetical scenarios and decisions in actual relationships.


RESULTS
Results indicated that people with high relational commitment were less likely to request a condom than were people with low relational commitment. People who perceived threats to relationship maintenance goals if a condom was requested were less likely to request a condom than were people who did not perceive threats to relationship maintenance goals.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study highlight the influence that relational threats and commitment levels have on condom use decision making.
Umphrey
Laura
L
School of Communication, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA. Laura.Umphrey@nau.edu
Sherblom
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*