Major

Psychology

Research Abstract

There is little research that has examined barriers on the part of an individual’s condom use self-efficacy. Furthermore, there is a lack of investigation into whether an individual’s perceptions of their partner’s attitudes have an impact on condom use and whether factors such as an individual’s level of condom use self-efficacy influences a person’s condom acquisition techniques. It is hypothesized that condom use will be positively correlated with higher levels of condom use self-efficacy (CUSE) and positive perceptions of others’ attitudes.

Participants were 104 undergraduates at USF. Hypotheses were tested using the responses to the 28- item Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) (Brafford & Beck, 1991) and a single item asking about frequency of condom use. Participants who indicated being in a monogamous relationship were also asked to complete a 13-item adapted measure of partner’s perceived attitudes towards condoms (DeHart & Birkimer, 1997).

Results indicated that correlations between CUSE and condom use were not significant. However, analyses revealed that there was a significant correlation between CUSE and perceptions of partner attitudes towards condoms, r(38) = .51, p = .001. Results suggest that perception of partner attitudes and not personal attitudes may be a more predictive factor of condom use.

Faculty Mentor/Advisor

Shirley McGuire

Course

Thesis Development Seminar; Shirley McGuire

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Apr 16th, 10:00 AM Apr 16th, 4:30 PM

Condom Use as it Relates to Perception and Self-Efficacy

There is little research that has examined barriers on the part of an individual’s condom use self-efficacy. Furthermore, there is a lack of investigation into whether an individual’s perceptions of their partner’s attitudes have an impact on condom use and whether factors such as an individual’s level of condom use self-efficacy influences a person’s condom acquisition techniques. It is hypothesized that condom use will be positively correlated with higher levels of condom use self-efficacy (CUSE) and positive perceptions of others’ attitudes.

Participants were 104 undergraduates at USF. Hypotheses were tested using the responses to the 28- item Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) (Brafford & Beck, 1991) and a single item asking about frequency of condom use. Participants who indicated being in a monogamous relationship were also asked to complete a 13-item adapted measure of partner’s perceived attitudes towards condoms (DeHart & Birkimer, 1997).

Results indicated that correlations between CUSE and condom use were not significant. However, analyses revealed that there was a significant correlation between CUSE and perceptions of partner attitudes towards condoms, r(38) = .51, p = .001. Results suggest that perception of partner attitudes and not personal attitudes may be a more predictive factor of condom use.