Associations Between Implicit and Explicit Condom Use Measures With Condom Use Barriers: Relationships Make A Difference

Objective: The association between explicit and implicit psychological measures might be affected by the similarity of the assessment method and by the overlap of the components of the constructs being assessed. This study examined the association between condom use barriers and explicit and implicit measurements of condom use and the moderating role of sexual intercourse in these associations. Design: This was a cross sectional correlational study. An analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial including 149 university students was included. Main measures: These included a questionnaire assessing condom use barriers, an implicit condom use test (a structured semi-projective test), and an explicit condom use question. Hierarchical regressions and correlations were examined in the full sample and by groups of participants with and without sexual intercourse. Results: In those without sexual intercourse, all barriers sub-scales were significantly and negatively correlated with implicit condom use and unrelated to explicit condom use. In contrast, among those engaged in sexual intercourse, barriers were significantly and negatively correlated with the explicit condom use measure, and only barriers concerning partner and motivation correlated with implicit condom use tendencies. Conclusion: Having a sexual partner plays a major role in the relations between barriers and implicit and explicit condom use measures. The pattern of the results is discussed in relation to cognitive and social factors.