Negotiating safer sex: a detailed analysis of attitude functions, anticipated emotions, relationship status and gender.
OBJECTIVE
Because interpersonal discussion about condom use can encourage subsequent condom use, this project aims to examine the psychological antecedents of intentions to discuss or request the use of condoms with a sexual partner.


METHODS
The data were collected from 849 heterosexual college students in the U.S.A. through an online survey. The survey contained several measures related to attitude functions (i.e., motivations), efficacy, norms and intentions to discuss condom use with a sexual partner.


RESULTS
Participants' attitude functions weakly predicted intentions to discuss condom use. Communication efficacy was a more important predictor of intentions for females (vs. males) and for those in other relationships or not in a relationship (vs. long-term monogamous relationships). Anticipated negative emotions were a stronger predictor of intentions for those in long-term monogamous relationships (vs. other relationships or not in a relationship).


CONCLUSIONS
Future research needs to consider more detailed attitude functions and anticipated emotions. Furthermore, background variables (e.g., gender and relationship status) can be moderators in addition to being distal predictors.
Department of Communication, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA. xxwgpt@rit.edu
Xiao
X
Wang
D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D017008:Negotiating; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult