Perception of easy-difficult: Attitude or self-efficacy?

This study investigates the semantic-differential item easy-difficult in or der to evaluate whether it can be considered a measure of attitude or self- efficacy in relation to consistent condom use with sex partners. Using conf irmatory factor analysis and comparing a set of logically nested models, ou r findings suggest that easy-difficult acts most like an attitude item in I elation to this particular behavior, especially for males rating condom us e with their main sex partners. However, for females and to a less extent m ales with nonmain sex partners, easy-difficult acts as a measure of both at titude and self-efficacy. Therefore, the use of easy-difficult items should be avoided or used with caution in this research context.