Use use condoms: the effect of implicit and explicit attitudes on condom use

Abstract

Background: People often behave riskily, as when having unprotected sex. Dual process theories posit that decisions are made via the reflective system, or originate from the impulsive system. We posit that implicit attitudes result in behavior relatively unaffected by other factors, as behavior is automatically activated. Explicit attitudes, however, interact with other factors, because all information is considered during decision-making. Methods: Sexually active men (N = 137) completed measures for implicit attitudes (SC-IAT), explicit attitudes, sexual sensation seeking, substance intoxication, sexual deprivation, self-monitoring, self-control, action planning, coping planning, action control, and condom use with casual partners over the last six months (dependent variable). Results: Substance intoxication, sexual sensation seeking, action- and coping planning significantly interacted with explicit attitudes on condom use. We found no main or interaction effects for implicit attitudes. Discussion: Implicit attitudes might not determine behavior because we retrospectively measured attitudes towards condoms, not condom use. We investigated desirable behavior, without conflict between both attitudes, and showed that weak explicit attitudes sometimes result in riskier sexual behavior. Attitudes are important for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.