Structural Equation Modeling Test of an Integrated Model of Spanish Youth’s Condom Use

Abstract

Heterosexual transmission represents 26 % of newly diagnosed infection in Spanish youth. Behavioral change models have emphasized the influence of multiple variables to predict condom use behavior. The aim of this study is to examine how those variables are organized and which theory explains the condom use behavior better. A sample of 424 young heterosexuals (M age = 20.62; SD = 2.16) filled out a battery of self-report questionnaires for assessing AIDS-related variables, personality traits and clinical variables (general, sexuality-related and health-related). A structural model was specified that included perceived pleasure and condom use self-efficacy as predictive variables. Depression and sexual compulsivity indirectly influence behavior. The final model accounted for 65.9 % of the variance in behavior. These results highlight the importance of cognitive and emotional variables as predictors of behavior (ex. expectations of pleasure and self-efficacy beliefs). This is important information for designing effective psychological interventions.Resumen La transmisión heterosexual representa el 26 % de los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH en los jóvenes españoles. Los modelos de cambio de comportamiento han enfatizado la influencia de múltiples variables para predecir el uso del preservativo. El objetivo del presente estudio es examinar cómo se organizan estas variables y qué teoría explica mejor esta conducta. Una muestra de 424 jóvenes heterosexuales (x edad = 20.62; SD = 2.16) completó una batería de cuestionarios sobre Sida, rasgos de personalidad y variables clínicas (generales, sexuales y de salud). Los resultados obtenidos utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales apoyan una relación directa entre uso del preservativo y autoeficacia y placer percibido. Las variables depresión y compulsividad sexual influyen indirectamente sobre la conducta. El modelo explica el 65.9 % de la varianza. Estos resultados destacan la importancia de las variables cognitivas y emocionales como predictoras del comportamiento. Esta información es importante para el diseño de intervenciones psicológicas eficaces.

HIV/AIDS related perception and behavior: A comparative study among college students of different majors in China

“…In the last part of the questionnaire, the condom-use intention was measured with a 5-item 5-point Likert scale scoring ranging from 5 to 25, for example, “If having sex, should you prepare a condom in advance?” Self-efficacy of condom-use was also measured with a 5-item 5-point Likert scale on which a higher score (ranging from 5 to 25) means a higher level of self-efficacy, for example, “I would feel unconfident to suggest using condoms with a partner, because I would be afraid of being thought to have had a past sexual experience”. Intention and self-efficacy are two important factors predicting condom-use behavior [ [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] ]. According to Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the immediate cause of volitional behavior is one’s intention to engage in that behavior [ 15 ].…”

Explanatory Psychological Factors of Inconsistently Condom Use among Spanish University Students: Gender Differences

“…On the other hand, the association between condom use and different psychological factors in other countries have been welldocumented in the scientific literature (Davis et al, 2014;MacDonald et al, 2016;Rodrigues et al, 2019). But the influence of predisposing factors as explanatory variables of condom use have been poor studied in Spain (Ballester-Arnal et al, 2017). Thus, the aim of the current study expands the previous understanding of condom use by examining the psychological factors influence by type of sexual practice and gender among sexual active university students.…”

“…But the influence of predisposing factors as explanatory variables of condom use have been poor studied in Spain (Ballester-Arnal et al, 2017). Thus, the aim of the current study expands the previous understanding of condom use by examining the psychological factors influence by type of sexual practice and gender among sexual active university students.…”

HIV Knowledge and Awareness Status of the Medical Students in Romania: An Awareness Study

“…The rates of condom use are not at the desired level yet. The cognitive and emotional variables as well as the cultural aspects of perceptions were reported to be factors hampering the condom use [22,23]. Condom use should be encouraged by the advertisements and projects [24].…”