RELATIONAL SEXUAL SCRIPTS AND WOMENS CONDOM USE - THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNALIZED NORMS

Three studies were conducted to explore the impact of scripted sociose xual norms on women's contraceptive behavior. In Study I, scripts of a n initial sexual encounter written by 36 female and 30 male undergradu ates were analyzed for relational orientation. Women portrayed the fem ale character as more relational than the male character Scripts inclu ding condom use were less relational than chase without condom use. In Study 2, a Relational Ideal factor from an Ideal Sexual Self Scale wa s obtained from the responses of 272 female participants. The Relation al Ideal was used in Study 3 to predict contraceptive attitudes and be havior in 62 undergraduate women. Endorsement of the Relational Ideal, controlling for sexual attitudes, was associated with less positive a ttitudes towards condoms, lesser likelihood of condom use during last intercourse, and greater latency to obtaining contraceptives in relati onships These results are discussed with respect to the incorporation of condoms into relational scripts, and the impact of these scripts on women's contraceptive behavior.