COMMITMENT TO THE RELATIONSHIP, EXTRADYADIC SEX, AND AIDS PREVENTIVE BEHAVIOR

This study was conducted among 251 heterosexual adults in The Netherla nds that included a substantial number of individuals who had had unpr otected sex with a new partner. Relationship status and commitment had independent effects upon the willingness to engage in extradyadic sex above and beyond the effects of past extradyadic sex and satisfaction , and commitment was the only psychological predictor of the intention to use condoms in extradyadic sexual contacts. Commitment predicted t he willingness to inform the steady partner about one's unsafe extrady adic sex and to protect the steady partner against the possible risk o f HIV infection after unsafe extradyadic sex. The implications for AID S prevention are discussed.