THE MODERATING ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTICIPATED FEELINGS OF REGRET AND CONDOM USE

This prospective study examined how the feelings of regret and self-bl ame one anticipates after engaging in unsafe sex affect condom use in new sexual relationships. The central theoretical question is whether self-efficacy perceptions can moderate the relationship between antici pated feelings and actual condom use. Consistent with theories of anti cipated regret and social cognitive learning, participants were most l ikely to use condoms between the first and second waves of data collec tion when they anticipated negative feelings as a result of not using condoms (and positive feelings after having used condoms), particularl y when they also believed that they had the power to exercise control over the sexual situation (high self-efficacy). The implications for i nterventions aimed at promoting safer sex are discussed.