Predictors of condom use among Black male college students

The purpose of this study is to identify the predictors of condom use among Black American male college students. The study was conducted in two different phases. In the first phase, qualitative data were obtained from three focus groups containing six to twelve males from each of four historically Black universities (i.e., Cheyney, Lincoln, Hampton, and Morehouse College). The Theory of Anticipatory Regret (Janis & Mann, 1977) was used to capture the perceived affective response of these young men to their decision to use or not use condoms. In addition, the focus groups were used to capture emergent themes of potential predictors of condom use. In the casual relationship scenario, all participants reported that they anticipated a negative affective response (i.e., worry, regret, anxiety, etc.) toward an unsafe sex encounter. In the committed relationship scenario, however, although most of the participants anticipated a negative response, some of the men reported an anticipated positive affective response. When asked why their perceived affective response would be negative and what they expected the consequences of not wearing a condom to be, participants\u27 responses fell into three categories: (1) negative feelings about not knowing the person whom they just met and had sex with; (2) fear of a sexually transmitted disease; or (3) fear of an unplanned pregnancy. Phase two of the present study assessed self-efficacy, which is derived from Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1986). Strecher et al. (1986) has indicated that behavior modification and maintenance are a function of (1) one\u27s expectations about potential behavioral outcomes and (2) one\u27s expectations about his/her ability to engage in or perform a specific behavior. In addition to assessing self-efficacy, the present study quantitatively measured (via The Black Male Sexual Health Survey) 307 males\u27 attitudes about condoms as well as their beliefs, religiosity, relationship status, and demographic variables as potential predictors of condom use and attitudes. Using multiple regression analysis, self-efficacy, religion, socioeconomic status, relationship status, condom attitudes, peer attitudes, and parents\u27 attitudes evidenced themselves as potential predictors of condom use. Using an analysis of variance (ANOVA), significant differences between schools were found with regards to condom use and self-efficacy, religiosity, college classification, relationship status, intentions, peers\u27 attitudes, and parents\u27 attitudes. It is hoped that the findings of this study will promote positive attitudes regarding sexual expression and highlight the need for additional research targeted at Black American males