Predictors of teens' attitudes toward condoms: Gender differences in the effects of norms

Using data collected from a telephone survey of adolescents aged 15 to 19, we studied predictors of condom attitudes. Analyses were conducted on a sam ple of 348 sexually active teens. Multiple regression revealed that holding other variables constant, being females, African American, perceiving that more of their friends were using condoms (i.e., perceived normative behavi or), and stronger perceived normative pressure were significantly associate d with favorable condom attitudes. Furthermore, significant interaction eff ects pointed to gender differences in the association between two types of norms and attitudes toward condoms. Perceived normative behavior had a grea ter effect on the attitudes of female adolescents. Perceived normative pres sure had a greater effect on the attitudes of male adolescents.