The association between characteristics of dating relationships and condomuse among heterosexual young adults

Although there is some evidence that relationship-level factors influence s exual behavior, they have received far less attention than individual-level factors as potential correlates of condom use. This study surveyed 210 und ergraduate men and women to examine the association between relationship ch aracteristics and condom use. Higher levels of love, longer relationships a nd more serious and committed relationships were individually associated wi th less condom use. In a multiple logistic regression model controlling for HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk perception and contraceptive m ethod, relationship length was the only relationship factor that independen tly predicted condom use (OR =.91; 95% CI =.84-.99). Use of a hormonal cont raceptive method was negatively associated with condom use in the multivari ate model (OR =.12; 95% CI =.06-.27), and mediated the association between relationship factors and condom use. Study results suggest that HIV/STD pre vention interventions may be improved by addressing relationship characteri stics, particularly the length of a dating relationship.