Psychosocial correlates of heterosexual condom use: A meta-analysis

Despite increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS, there has been no systematic revi ew of correlates of condom use among heterosexual samples. To rectify this, the present study used meta-analysis to quantify the relationship between psychosocial variables and self-reported condom use. Six hundred sixty corr elations distributed across 44 variables were derived from 121 empirical st udies. Variables were organized in terms of the labeling, commitment, and e nactment stages of the AIDS Risk Reduction Model (Catania, Kegeles, & Coate s, 1990). Findings showed that demographic, personality. and labeling stage variables had small average correlations with condom use. Commitment and e nactment stage variables fared better, with attitudes toward condoms, behav ioral intentions, and communication about condoms being the most important predictors. Overall, findings support a social psychological model of condo m use highlighting the importance of behavior-specific cognitions, social i nteraction, and preparatory behaviors rather than knowledge and beliefs abo ut the threat of infection.