Communication patterns in laboratory discussions of safer sex between dating versus nondating partners

Abstract

Interactions about safer sex between partners in close relationships were compared with those between opposite sex strangers in order to explore the hypothesis that cognitive representations of close relationships can discourage effective safer‐sex negotiations. The type of discussion topic (safer sex vs. a control topic) was crossed with the type of discussion partner (dating partner vs. an opposite‐sex stranger) to create four groups of dyads. Based on the verbal and nonverbal behaviors coded from the videotaped discussions, safer‐sex discussions between intimates were found to evoke more nonverbal signs that salient goals were left unresolved than did safer‐sex discussions between opposite‐sex strangers or control‐topic discussions between either intimates or strangers. Destructive and withdrawal communication patterns, comparable to those observed in distressed couples, were further found to distinguish the safer‐sex discussions from the control discussions.