Which intention? Whose intention? Condom use and theories of individual decision making

Abstract

Many studies of condom use are based on the assumption that behavioural intentions are the immediate proximal cause of behaviour. However, the association between condom use intentions and behaviour is often weak. Ajzen and Madden ( 1986 ) state that a strong association between intention and behaviour is dependent on three prerequisites: (1) the measures of intention and behaviour must be made with the same level of specificity; (2) the behaviour must be under volitional control; and (3) the intention must not change between the time at which it is measured and the time at which the behaviour is observed. This diary-based study reveals that these three prerequisites may be difficult to meet in studies of condom use, because condom use is an interactive behaviour influenced by the intentions of two people. Individual intentions do influence condom use. However, condom use is also influenced by factors which operate after the formation of the individual's intention.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the institutions which gave permission to recruit study participants, and to the students who took part. This work was supported by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, and conducted at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society.