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Condom use self-efficacy can be defined as expectations about one's ability to use condoms under a variety of circumstances. This investigation examined the factor structure of the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) in an 18- to 23-year-old college population (N = 339) and tested the ability of the factors to distinguish among three groups of condom users (nonusers, sporadic users, and ritualistic users). Emerging from a principal components analysis were four reliable factors labeled Mechanics, Partner's Disapproval, Assertive, and Intoxicants. Results from a discriminant analysis indicated that sporadic users were best distinguished from ritualistic users by number of sex partners, use of intoxicants, and intensity of alcohol use. The sporadic users had more sex partners, were less confident of their ability to use condoms when intoxicated, and were heavier drinkers than were the ritualistic users. Nonusers were best distinguished from ritualistic users by the factor labeled Assertive. Nonusers were significantly less confident in their ability to discuss condoms and to insist on their use with a sexual partner. Implications of the findings for improving campus-based programs to prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection and sexually transmitted diseases are discussed.

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Drinking motivations among undergraduates were examined with a 76-item questionnaire administered to 640 undergraduates, (53%) female and (47%) male. The questionnaire contained four sections: sociodemographic information, alcohol use and perceived drinking norms, drinking consequences, and the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS) (O'Neil et al., 1986). Findings from the canonical correlation analysis suggest undergraduate alcohol use in both sexes was best explained by same-sex, peer drinking norms. Gender role conflict and sociodemographic variables had substantially weaker associations with drinking behavior. The findings provide further theoretical support for interventions seeking to change campus drinking norms and suggest that normative feedback should be sex specific.

Objective This study examined whether three-month outcomes of a brief image-based multiple behavior intervention on health habits and health-related quality of life of college students were sustained at 12-month follow-up without further intervention. Methods A randomized control trial was conducted with 303 undergraduates attending a public university in southeastern US. Participants were randomized to receive either a brief intervention or usual care control, with baseline, three-month, and 12-month data collected during fall of 2007. Results A significant omnibus MANOVA interaction effect was found for health-related quality of life, p=.01, with univariate interaction effects showing fewer days of poor spiritual health, social health, and restricted recent activity, p’s <.05, for those receiving the brief intervention. Significant group by time interaction effects were found for driving after drinking, p=.04, and moderate exercise, p=.04, in favor of the brief intervention. Effect sizes typically increased over time and were small except for moderate size effects for social health-related quality of life. Conclusion This study found that three-month outcomes from a brief image-based multiple behavior intervention for college students were partially sustained at 12-month follow-up.

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Background-Epidemiologic data indicate most adolescents and adults experience multiple, simultaneous risk behaviors.

Social norm feedback is a promising strategy for reducing alcohol misuse on college campuses. However, little is known about the impact of these interventions on at-risk populations, such as student-athletes. This study examined the effects of a campus-wide media campaign on Division I student-athletes at three universities. A discriminant function analysis revealed that a composite measure of perceived campus drinking norms distinguished between two campaign exposure groups. With the exception of one perceived norm measure (closest friends), the campaign-exposed group reported more conservative estimates of alcohol use in peers. However, there was no evidence that the campaign had reduced alcohol use. The inability of the campaign to reduce perceptions of alcohol use among one's closest friends may have accounted for the lack of change in drinking behavior. Discussion is directed to the potential limitations of using social norm feedback campaigns to reduce alcohol misuse in high-risk groups, such as student-athletes.