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ADOLESCENT DATING RELATIONSHIPS AND CONSISTENCY OF CONDOM USE
... Gibbs (2013) finds that adolescent males in casual relationships compared to those in going steady relationships, have reduced odds of contraceptive use at first intercourse. The possible reason for this result is that sex among daters are often planned and associated with effective communication (Manning et al. 2009). ...
... While studies have examined contraceptive use at first or last intercourse ( Studies explore duration of relationship as an important relationship feature. Relationship duration is likely to reduce condom use (Kusunoki and Upchurch 2011;Manning et al. 2009). More specifically, studies often use duration as a proxy for closeness in a relationship. ...
... Researchers suggest that as sexual relationships mature, there is a decline in condom use. However, the association between relationship duration and contraceptive use depends on the measurement of duration and contraceptive use as well as couples" sexual histories (Manning et al. 2009). ...
This chapter presents implicit social cognition theory as a framework for understanding the structure and processes of implicit attitudes toward contraceptives. Implicit social cognition primarily involves processes and attitudes that are based on principles of implicit memory and automatic or nonconscious associations. This chapter first argues that implicit social cognition may shed light on the psychological processes outside of an individual's consciousness and awareness that underlie attitudes toward contraceptives. We then present the theoretical arguments and empirical evidence that establish the reliability of implicit social cognition methodologies to measure implicit attitudes toward contraceptives and their utility to predict sexual behavior. Second, we turn to the chapter's main goal - to demonstrate that two sources underlying implicit attitudes toward contraceptives (condoms and birth control pills) are self-image and group identity based motives. In one set of experiments from our laboratory, we demonstrate that affirming women's gender identity leads to relatively negative implicit (but not explicit) attitudes toward condoms and birth control pills. Moreover, this effect appears to be particularly robust among women who strongly identify with their gender ingroup. We argue that this may be the case because a gender affirmation activates the motivation to procreate, and therefore should heighten negative attitudes toward any contraceptive. A second line of research examines the important role of self- image in implicit attitudes toward contraceptives. Specifically, we establish that individuals who hold discrepant implicit and explicit self-esteem possess relatively strong implicit self-image ambivalence, which is a proxy for self- image concerns. When these concerns are exacerbated they increase negative implicit (but not explicit) attitudes toward contraceptives; in contrast, such attitudes are decreased once self-image concerns are alleviated. We end the chapter with the implications of this research for sexual behavior and a discussion on the cultural universality of the above research on the implicit social cognition of attitudes toward contraceptives.
... Researchers continue to focus on the role of relationships and their association with contraceptive use among adolescents and young adults (Gibbs 2013;Kusunoki and Upchurch 2011;Manlove et al. 2011;Manning et al. 2012). Although more is known about the individual-level sociodemographic factors that are associated with contraceptive use among adolescents as well as young adults (Fortenberry et al. 2002;Manlove et al. 2007;Manning et al. 2009;and Ott et al. 2002), it is important to focus additional research. attention on potentially malleable factors, such as relationship dynamics that are associated with variations in consistent use. ...
... Gibbs (2013) finds that adolescent males in casual relationships compared to those in going steady relationships, have reduced odds of contraceptive use at first intercourse. The possible reason for this result is that sex among daters are often planned and associated with effective communication (Manning et al. 2009). ...
... Studies explore duration of relationship as an important relationship feature. Relationship duration is likely to reduce condom use (Kusunoki and Upchurch 2011;Manning et al. 2009). More specifically, studies often use duration as a proxy for closeness in a relationship. ...
Emerging adulthood is marked by significant changes in interpersonal and sexual relationships with delays in marriage meaning that young adults are facing increasingly longer periods of nonmarital sexual engagement (Arnett 2000). Understanding factors that influence contraceptive use is critical because young adults experience the highest rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Drawing on the Toledo Adolescent Relationship Study (TARS) (n = 437) we examine how variations in the qualities of dating relationship are associated with consistent condom use and consider the reasons for inconsistent condom use. We find that negative relationship dynamics, such as verbal abuse, intimate partner violence, and infidelity, are associated with inconsistent condom use net of socioeconomic factors and prior contraceptive use.
Positive relationship qualities, such as love, intimate self-disclosure, and trust are not associated with condom use. Young adult daters most often report that inconsistent condom use is due to relational factors (e.g., partner and I know each other well, I trust my partner, and I am not worried partner is unfaithful) (40%). Less frequent reasons included sexual health of self or partner (30%) or use of other methods (23%). Relatively rare reasons for inconsistent use are aversion to condoms (2%) or access to condoms (5%). Thus, assessments of the relationship context will move forward our understanding of young adult condom use. The results show that those young adults in the lowest quality relationships are least often effectively protecting themselves against STIs and pregnancy. These findings have implications for programs targeted at young adults.
... Behaviors that put young adults at risk for exposure to heterosexually transmitted infections (i.e., inconsistent condom use, multiple and concurrent sexual partners) necessarily occur within relationship contexts. Thus, the importance of the relationship context cannot be over-stated and scholarship is beginning to recognize that understanding the nature of the sexual relationships may help in the prevention of STIs (Iskovics, Thayaparan, and Ethier 2001; Manning et al. 2009; Manlove, Ryan, and Franzetta 2007; Santelli et al. 1996; Sheeran, Abraham and Orbell 1999; Soler et al. 2000; Tschann et al. 2002). Yet surprisingly, researchers know more about individual, family, peer, and even neighborhood level effects on adolescent and young adult involvement in high-risk sexual activities than about the influence of relationship dynamics on sexual risk-taking and the management of STI risk. ...
... Many studies account for duration and sometimes imply this is a proxy for closeness in the relationship. Generally, as sexual relationships mature, condom use declines (Civic 1999; Crosby et al. 2000; Ku et al. 1994; Manning et al. 2009). The sawtooth hypothesis developed by Ku et al. focuses on the observed pattern in which young men (ages 17-22) more often use condoms early on in a dating relationship and then use diminishes with relationship duration, which then increases again at the start of the subsequent relationship. ...
... We move beyond these studies and focus on the subjective elements of relationships. A few studies find that importance of relationship, emotional closeness, and higher relationship quality among subgroups of young adults and teens (Aalsma et al. 2006; Gutiérrez, Oh, and Gillmore 2000; Inazu 1987; Katz et al. 2000; Manning et al. 2009; Pleck, Sonenstein, and Swain 1988; Santelli et al. 1996) are associated with less use. The basic notion is that as trust increases, the need for condoms and contraception diminishes. ...
Young adult involvement in sexual behavior typically occurs within a relationship context, but we know little about the ways in which specific features of romantic relationships influence sexual decision-making. Prior work on sexual risk taking focuses attention on health issues rather than relationship dynamics. We draw on data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS) (n = 475) to examine the association between qualities and dynamics of current/most recent romantic relationships such as communication and emotional processes, conflict, demographic asymmetries, and duration and the management of sexual risk. We conceptualize 'risk management' as encompassing multiple domains, including (1) questioning the partner about previous sexual behaviors/risks, (2) using condoms consistently, and (3) maintaining sexual exclusivity within the relationship. We identify distinct patterns of risk management among dating young adults and find that specific qualities and dynamics of these relationships are linked to variations in risk management. Results from this paper suggest the need to consider relational dynamics in efforts to target and influence young adult sexual risk-taking and reduce STIs, including HIV.
... En las últimas décadas, las altas tasas de fecundidad adolescente en la mayoría de los países de América Latina han atraído la atención de organismos internacionales, autoridades públicas e investigadores. La ampliación del uso de anticonceptivos por parte de esta población, y de manera particular el uso consistente del condón (masculino), ha sido planteado como el factor clave no sólo para la prevención de embarazos adolescentes, sino también para la prevención de infecciones de trasmisión sexual (its) (Manning et al., 2007;Gayet et al., 2003). Sin embargo, y a pesar de incontables esfuerzos e iniciativas, los jóvenes en la región continúan haciendo un uso escaso e inconsistente del condón. ...
... No sólo la duración de la relación, sino también su calidad y su naturaleza influyen en el uso de anticonceptivos que pueda hacer la pareja. la baja calidad de la relación afecta negativamente el uso del condón (Katz et al., 2000;Manning et al., 2007), y las relaciones establecidas o exclusivas dan paso a la interrupción del uso de condones (Misovich et al., 1997;Katz et al., 2000;Civic, 2000) y a su sustitución por otros métodos, usualmente hormonales (Seal y Palmer, 1996;lameiras et al., 2008). ...
Using data from the National Survey on Violence during Courtship, undertaken in 2007 on young Mexicans aged 15 to 24, the author explores the levels of contraceptive knowledge and use in the context of courtship. This analysis seeks to prove the role played by the various socio-demographic characteristics of young people in contraceptive knowledge and use, with particular emphasis on the role of gender. In general, significant differences are observed between “ever use” of contraceptives and factors associated with condom use in relations with one’s current partner. Contraceptive use appears to be positively associated in both men and women with more favorable socio-economic conditions, greater contraceptive knowledge and a greater number of sexual partners (only among men). Among women, being a student also encourages contraceptive use. However, when characteristics of the courtship are incorporated and the analysis is circumscribed by the frequency of condom use in sexual relations with the current partner, objective relations become less important while certain more subjective features of the relationship become more important. These include: age difference between the partners (for men and women), duration of the courtship (for women), who decides when and how to have sex (for men), support provided by the partner (men only) and attitude towards gender roles (in the case of men) and the presence of emotional violence (for men) and physical violence.
... No sólo la duración de la relación, sino también su calidad y su naturaleza influyen en el uso de anticonceptivos que pueda hacer la pareja. la baja calidad de la relación afecta negativamente el uso del condón (Katz et al., 2000;Manning et al., 2007), y las relaciones establecidas o exclusivas dan paso a la interrupción del uso de condones (Misovich et al., 1997;Katz et al., 2000;Civic, 2000) y a su sustitución por otros métodos, usualmente hormonales (Seal y Palmer, 1996;lameiras et al., 2008). ...
Con base en datos provenientes de la Encuesta Nacional sobre Violencia en el Noviazgo, levantada en 2007 entre jóvenes mexicanos de 15 a 24 años de edad, se exPlora el.nivel de conocimiento y uso de anticonceptivos en el contexto de las relaciones de noviazgo. Con este análisis se pretende evidenciar el rol que desempeñan las diversas características sociodemográficas de los jóvenes en el conocimiento y uso de anticonceptivos, con partic cular atención en el papel que juega el género. En general se observan diferencias importantes entre los factores relacionados con el uso de anticonceptivos alguna vez y los factores asociados al uso del condón en las relaciones con la pareja actual. El uso de anticonceptivos aparece asociado positivamente tanto entre los hombres como entre las mujeres con las condiciones socioeconómicas más favorables, con más conocimientos sobre los anticonceptivos, y con un mayor número de compañeros sexuales (sólo para los varones). Entre las mujeres también el hecho de ser estudiante favorece el uso de anticonceptivos. No obstante, cuando se incorporan al análisis elementos proPios de la relación de noviazgo y secircunscribe el análisis a la frecuencia de uso del condón en las relaciones sexuales con la pareja actual, pierden relevancia los factores objetivos y cobran significancia ciertos elementos más subjetivos propios de la relación: la diferencia de edad con la pareja (Para hombres y mujeres), la duración del noviazgo (Para las mujeres), quién decide cuándo y cómo tener sexo (Para los hombres), el apoyo que ofrece la pareja (sólo los hombres), la actitud hacia los roles de género (en el caso de los hombres), y la presen¬cia de violencia emocional (Para los hombres) y de violencia física.
This study examines age differences among adolescent females, the fathers of their children, and their first sexual partners, as well as the girl's relationship to her first partner. It uses data from Vital Statistics, the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey, and the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth. We investigate the potential impact of statutory rape laws on teen fertility and the initiation of sexual activity. We find that age differences between teen mothers and the fathers of their children follow historic norms. We further show that one may draw misleading conclusions about the extent to which teen girls engage in sexual activity with older men if conclusions are based simply on data on births. Finally, our demonstration of the potential effects of statutory rape laws on teen births and the age pattern of first intercourse suggests that even successful enforcement of these laws is unlikely to lead to substantial reductions in teen childbearing.
Two studies examined intimacy in adolescent friendships. In the first, 7th-, 9th-, and 11th-grade students completed a questionnaire assessing perceived friendship intimacy. Age and sex differences were identified in emotional closeness, self-disclosure, emphasis on individuality, control, and conformity. Across ages, emphasis on individuality increased, whereas control and conformity declined. There were no age differences in emotional closeness and self-disclosure. Females reported more emotional closeness and self-disclosure than males. In the second study, individual differences in friendship intimacy were examined in a sample of 9th-grade adolescents. A joint problem solving task identified interdependent and disengaged friends. Perceived intimacy among interdependent and disengaged friends was contrasted with that in a control group of subjects without friends. Adolescents with friends reported more closeness than those without friends. Interdependent friends reported greater levels of respect for individuality than disengaged friends. The results underscore the salience of intimacy for peer relationships during the adolescent years and suggest that intimacy may be an important construct distinguishing between different types of close friendships.
Adolescent females, particularly urban and low-income youth of color, are at particular risk for HIV infection. This article uses an empowerment perspective to consider the degree to which intrapersonal and interpersonal power dynamics in heterosexual relations have an impact on condom use among high-risk youth. Participants in this study were 333 African American and European American urban youth, ages 14–19 years, who were heterosexually active. Measures focused on interpersonal and intrapersonal factors thought to be associated with condom use. This model was most useful in predicting condom use among women and least useful in predicting condom use among male participants. Implications for empowerment theory and future research are discussed. Peer Reviewed http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45621/1/11199_2004_Article_224330.pdf
Interpersonal trust is an aspect of close relationships which has been virtually ignored in social scientific research despite its importance as perceived by intimate partners and several family theorists. This article describes the development, validation, and correlates of the Dyadic Trust Scale, a tool designed for such research. It is unidimensional, reliable, relatively free from response biases, and purposely designed to be consistent with conceptualizations of trust from various perspectives. Dyadic trust proved to be associated with love and with intimacy of self-disclosure, especially for longer married partners. It varied by level of commitment, being lowest for ex-partners and highest for those engaged and living together, for newlyweds, and for those married over 20 years. Partners reciprocated trust more than either love or depth of self-disclosure. Future research could fruitfully relate dyadic trust to such issues as personal growth in relationships, resolving interpersonal conflict, and developing close relationships subsequent to separation or divorce.
This paper addresses the general question of whether or not the satisfactory resolution of the methodological criticisms of self-report research will result in greater consistency between self-reported and official data with respect to the race and class distributions of delinquent behavior. We review the specific methodological criticisms of self-report delinquency (SRD) research; discuss the use of a new SRD measure in a national youth study; compare the race/class findings of this study with previous SRD research and with official arrest data; and examine the epidemiological and theoretical implications of these findings. Both class and race differentials are found in this study. It appears likely that the differences between these findings and those in earlier SRD studies are a result of differences in the specific SRD measures used. Additionally, these findings suggest a logical connection between SRD and official measures, and they provide some insight into the mechanism whereby official data produce more extreme race and class (as well as age and sex) differences than do self-report measures. The results of this study also have implications for previous tests of theoretical propositions which used self-report delinquency data. In short, prior self-report measures may not have been sensitive enough to capture the theoretically important differences in delinquency involvement.
This chapter provides national estimates of the prevalence and characteristics of adolescent romantic relationships using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The study addresses a number of questions critical to models of adolescent development. The authors review studies concerning the romantic relationships of adolescents, and additionally review studies that consider romantic relationships among adults and friendship among adolescents. Based on this review, they posit expectations for how relationship qualities vary by the sex, age, and race of adolescents. They note, however, that because studies typically focus on Whites, expectations about racial differences are limited. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Qualities of the adolescent dyadic relationship, peer relationships, and family relationships were expected to influence the degree to which adolescents are exposed to pregnancy risk in terms of frequency of sexual intercourse and regularity of effective contraceptive use. A multivariate analysis of questionnaire data from 147 12–18 yr old females indicated that qualities of the interpersonal relationship of the adolescent dyad are more consistently and strongly associated with exposure to pregnancy risk than qualities of either peer or family relationships. However, certain qualities of the dyadic relationship (e.g., peer contraceptive use and relationship satisfaction) had a counterbalancing influence on pregnancy risk by being positively related to the frequency of sexual intercourse and to regularity of effective contraceptive use. Female power in the dyadic relationship was inversely correlated with the frequency of sexual intercourse and positively correlated with contraceptive use, indicating a consistent relationship between interpersonal power and the indicators of pregnancy risk. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the strongest predictors of pregnancy risk. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The majority of teens are having sex, however, we know little about sex that occurs outside the traditional dating context and the factors associated with these non-romantic sexual experiences. Prior work indicates that healthy sexual behaviors depend on the relationship context of sexual intercourse, but research on the characteristics of teens who engage in non-romantic sex is limited. We use two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to analyze adolescents' reports of non-romantic sexual intercourse, and whether key protective and risk factors as well as normative orientations distinguish the context within which sexual activity occurs. We find that the majority of sexually active teens have had some sexual experience outside of a romantic relationship. We conclude that teenagers' sexual experiences are not static over time, because 60% of sexually active teenagers have had sex in both romantic and non-romantic contexts. Our multivariate analyses indicate that the teen's normative beliefs have significant effects on teenage non-romantic sexual activity. The traditional risk and protective factors often are not related to teens' decisions about sexual partners. These results have implications for our understanding and encouragement of healthy adolescent sexual behaviors.
Theorists such as Farber argue that in adolescence passionate love first appears in all its intensity. Both adolescence and passion are "intense, overwhelming, passionate, consuming, exciting, and confusing". As yet, however, clinicians have been given little guidance as to how to deal with adolescents caught up in their passionate feelings. Nor has there been much research into the nature of passionate love. In Section I of this paper, we define passionate love, explain the necessity of developing a scale to measure this concept, and review evidence as to the nature of passionate love. In Section 2, we report a series of studies conducted in developing the Passionate Love Scale (the PLS). We present evidence as to the PLS's reliability, validity, and relationship to other factors involved in close relationships. We end by describing how we have used this scale in family therapy to open conversations about the nature of passionate love/companionate love/and intimacy... and discussing profitable directions for subsequent research.