Use use condoms: the effect of implicit and explicit attitudes on condom use
2015
Background: People often behave riskily, as when having unprotected
sex. Dual process theories posit that decisions are made via the reflective system, or
originate from the impulsive system. We posit that implicit attitudes result in behavior
relatively unaffected by other factors, as behavior is automatically activated. Explicit
attitudes, however, interact with other factors, because all information is considered during
decision-making. Methods: Sexually active men (N = 137) completed measures for implicit
attitudes (SC-IAT), explicit attitudes, sexual sensation seeking, substance intoxication,
sexual deprivation, self-monitoring, self-control, action planning, coping planning, action
control, and condom use with casual partners over the last six months (dependent variable).
Results: Substance intoxication, sexual sensation seeking, action- and coping planning
significantly interacted with explicit attitudes on condom use. We found no main or interaction
effects for implicit attitudes. Discussion: Implicit attitudes might not determine behavior
because we retrospectively measured attitudes towards condoms, not condom use. We investigated
desirable behavior, without conflict between both attitudes, and showed that weak explicit
attitudes sometimes result in riskier sexual behavior. Attitudes are important for the
prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
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