Competing Priorities: Partner-Specific Relationship Characteristics and Motives for Condom Use Among At-Risk Young Adults

Abstract

Condoms protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy and are essential to sexual health efforts targeting young adults, who are disproportionately affected by both outcomes. Understanding condom use motives is critical to increasing condom use. Research in this area is limited, particularly regarding the roles of partners and relationship factors. Using a longitudinal sample of 441 young adults and 684 reported partnerships we examined associations between relationship factors and condom use motives (pregnancy prevention, disease prevention, or dual protection). Simultaneous multilevel models identified variables associated with motives; level-specific models identified the levels (individual, partnership, time) variables impacted motives. Participants reported choosing condoms for pregnancy prevention, disease prevention, and dual protection in 51%, 17%, and 33% of partnerships, respectively. Partner-specific factors varied, to a differing degree, across the three levels. Seven variables (duration, condom self-efficacy, commitment, sexual decision-making, power, and vulnerability to harm [HIV/STIs] and pregnancy) distinguished condom use motives. The level of this association varied but was most pronounced at the partner and individual levels. Researchers and practitioners should consider the impact of both individual- and partner-level factors on condom use motives, in both research and sexual health programs.

Funding

The Project on Partner Dynamics is funded by a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant (R01 HD047151), PI: S. Marie Harvey. This analysis was funded through an additional NICHD grant (R03 HD07789), PI: S. Marie Harvey.

Additional information

Funding

The Project on Partner Dynamics is funded by a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant (R01 HD047151), PI: S. Marie Harvey. This analysis was funded through an additional NICHD grant (R03 HD07789), PI: S. Marie Harvey.