CONDOM OR NO CONDOM IN NEW SEXUAL CONTACTS - EXPLANATION AND PREDICTION WITH THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR IN A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

Results of a longitudinal study of factors determining the use of cond oms with new sexual partners in a representive sample of 650 German yo uths are reported. Variables derived from the theory of planned behavi or (Ajzen. 1985, 1991) were obtained in two waves separated by one yea r, and the data were submitted to structural equation analyses. Consis tent with the theory. intentions to use condoms could be predicted fro m attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control with re spect to this behavior. Actual condom use was strongly related to inte ntions and perceptions of control assessed in the second wave. These r elationships are not contained in the present formulation of the theor y. 80% of the variance in intention was explained. However, due to cha nges in the respondents' beliefs and attitudes over lime, only about 1 0% of the variance in reported condom use was accounted for by intenti ons and perceived control assessed one year earlier. Reported condom u se was found to exert a direct effect on later intentions, unmediated by their hypothesized antecedents. Theoretical and practical implicati ons of these findings are discussed.