Factors predicting safe-sex talk and condom use in early sexual relationships

This study explored some of the antecedents and consequences of young adult s' beliefs about safe-sex communication in their early couple relationships . The sample consisted of 237 unmarried, heterosexual Australian university students, 16 to 19 years of age, approximately evenly divided between virg ins and those with sexual experience. Drawing on a model of couple sexual c ommunication as the product of prior experiences with communication, assert ion, and conflict resolution in the family of origin, we examined links bet ween these variables and respondents' attitudes and practices of safe-sex d iscussion and condom use with their dating partners. The results showed tha t women and nonvirgin men had more positive attitudes toward safe-sex commu nication than male virgins had. Difficulties with self-assertion outside of the sexual context and mothers' and fathers' use of avoidance as a conflic t resolution strategy were negatively correlated with willingness to discus s safe sex, whereas mothers' more frequent safe-sex education was a positiv e predictor. The results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis ind icated that assertion, paternal conflict avoidance, and male gender were in dependent predictors of reluctance to negotiate for safer sex. At a behavio ral level, positive attitudes to safe-sex discussion predicted having talke d about AIDS and condoms with a dating partner as well as actual condom use by the subsample of daters who had experienced sexual intercourse. Implica tions for improving family and couple communication and for sex education w ere considered.