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Understanding the association between condom use at first and most recent sexual intercourse: An assessment of normative, calculative, and habitual explanations

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  • Stulhofer, Aleksandar
  • Bacak, Valerio
  • Ajdukovic, Dea
  • Graham, Cynthia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of the likely mechanisms underlying regular condom use. In 2009, 1145 sexually active individuals aged 18-65 years were surveyed online, after being recruited via an e-mail message circulated at a large Croatian university and posted on various social networking websites. Participants' mean age was 28.1 years (SDÂ =Â 8.01). Women constituted a slight majority of the sample (51.6%). The research questions - whether the frequently observed association between condom use at first and most recent sexual intercourse could be best predicted by (a) norm-oriented behavior; (b) calculative decision-making; or (c) habit formation - were tested using multiple logistic regression. Only the calculative and habitual motivational determinants of condom use were significant predictors. Unlike calculative use, which decreased the odds of condoms being used at both occasions, habitual use, as expected, increased the odds of condom use. In addition, the habitual modality of condom use significantly predicted consistent condom use with both casual and steady sexual partners. Age, being in a relationship, and the number of lifetime sexual partners were negatively associated with habitual condom use. The finding that habit plays a substantial role in consistent condom use suggests the need for further exploration of personality and relational factors associated with the initiation of habitual condom use.

Suggested Citation

  • Stulhofer, Aleksandar & Bacak, Valerio & Ajdukovic, Dea & Graham, Cynthia, 2010. "Understanding the association between condom use at first and most recent sexual intercourse: An assessment of normative, calculative, and habitual explanations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(12), pages 2080-2084, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:70:y:2010:i:12:p:2080-2084
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    1. Santelli, J.S. & Lindberg, L.D. & Finer, L.B. & Singh, S., 2007. "Explaining recent declines in adolescent pregnancy in the United States: The contribution of abstinence and improved contraceptive use," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(1), pages 150-156.
    2. Lindbladh, Eva & Lyttkens, Carl Hampus, 2002. "Habit versus choice: the process of decision-making in health-related behaviour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 451-465, August.
    3. Shafii, T. & Stovel, K. & Holmes, K., 2007. "Association between condom use at sexual debut and subsequent sexual trajectories: A longitudinal study using biomarkers," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(6), pages 1090-1095.
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    1. Ingrid Babinská & Monika Halánová & Zuzana Kalinová & Lenka Čechová & Lýdia Čisláková & Andrea Madarasová Gecková, 2017. "Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Its Association with Sexual Behaviour and Alcohol Use in the Population Living in Separated and Segregated Roma Settlements in Eastern Slovakia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-13, December.

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