title: Contraceptive method choice among youth in the United States: the importance of relationship context.
abstract: We examine the relationship characteristics associated with contraceptive method choice within young people's nonmarital sexual relationships, using data from retrospective relationship histories available in the third wave (2001-2002) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Data-reduction techniques produce a detailed multidimensional characterization of relationship commitment for nonmarital sexual relationships. We then use multilevel analysis to estimate associations between two key relationship characteristics-relationship commitment and couple heterogamy-and the type of contraceptive method used at last sexual intercourse within each relationship. Results indicate that for a given individual, contraceptive method choice varies across relationships as a function of these characteristics, even after we account for important individual and family characteristics and prior relationship experiences.
authors: Population Studies Center and Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson St., Room 2214, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248, USA. kusunoki@umich.edu
authors: Yasamin
authors: Y
authors: Kusunoki
authors: Dawn M
authors: DM
authors: Upchurch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003380:Courtship; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult