Condom use in the context of sex research: a commentary

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia A. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexual Arousal ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
Sex Research ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

This commentary highlights some recent trends in sex research that have particular relevance for research on condom use, including studies investigating the meaning of sexual arousal, desire and pleasure; a focus on couple-level investigations; and the relevance of individual differences and personality characteristics to sexual risk-taking. Although historically, sexuality-related issues have received little systematic attention in the field of public health, researchers are now paying more attention to the role of pleasure and sexual arousal in condom use. It is argued that a better integration of findings from the area of sex research into the HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) field is needed to develop and improve programs to reduce the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy.

scholarly journals Sexual Arousal Discounting: Devaluing Condom-Protected Sex as a Function of Reduced Arousal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Val Wongsomboon ◽  
David J. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexual Arousal ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
The Past ◽  
Arousal Group

Sexual discounting is a growing area of research aimed at identifying factors that reduce people’s reported willingness to have safe sex. One commonly reported reason for condom non-use is that a condom reduces sexual arousal. However, researchers have yet to isolate the specific role of sexual arousal using a sexual discounting framework. We extended past research by measuring how sexual arousal reduced people’s willingness to have condom-protected sex (“sexual arousal discounting”: SAD). College students (n = 379; 67.5% females) selected partners they most-wanted and least-wanted to have sex with and were randomized to one of two groups. In one group, participants rated their willingness to have sex with a condom if their own arousal decreased (from 100% to 10%) from condom use. The other group completed the same task except their partner’s arousal decreased from condom use instead of their own. We observed a three-way interaction between arousal levels, most vs. least desirable partners, and self vs. partner groups. Participants’ willingness to have condom-protected sex systematically reduced as a function of sexual arousal. This was observed more with the most (vs. least) desirable partner and in the self-arousal (vs. partner-arousal) group but only when the partner was their least desirable. Men (vs. women) displayed more arousal discounting but only with the most desirable partner. Finally, higher arousal discounting was associated with lower safe-sex self-efficacy and higher reported frequency of unprotected sex in the past three months. This study demonstrates how reduced sexual arousal from condom use can be measured as a factor influencing sexual risk-taking.

scholarly journals The Role of Alcohol Use During Sexual Situations in the Relationship Between Sexual Revictimization and Women’s Intentions to Engage in Unprotected Sex

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele R. Parkhill ◽  
Jeanette Norris ◽  
Kelly Cue Davis
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
Sexual Revictimization ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adult Sexual Assault

Research has demonstrated relationships among childhood sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, and sexual risk taking. This study proposes that one mechanism through which the victimization–sexual risk-taking relationship works is through an increased likelihood of drinking during sexual situations. Using path analysis, this study explores this hypothesis in a sample of 230 women. The model illustrates that women with a history of child and adult sexual victimization reported greater intentions to engage in unprotected sex and that this relationship is in part accounted for by an increased likelihood of drinking in sexual situations. The results suggest that sexual risk reduction programs and sexual assault treatment programs should educate women about the alcohol-involved sexual risk taking that often follows sexual assault victimization.

scholarly journals Childhood Maltreatment and Sexual Risk Taking: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin M. Hahn ◽  
Raluca M. Simons ◽  
Jeffrey S. Simons
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
Mediating Role

scholarly journals Decision making over condom use during menses to avert sexually transmissible infections

Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Cynthia A. Graham ◽  
Stephanie A. Sanders ◽  
William L. Yarber ◽  
Marija V. Wheeler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Significant Finding ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Independent Decision ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection ◽  
Do So

Background The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that receptive partners in penile–vaginal intercourse (PVI) who exercise independent decision making over condom use during menses do so to avert sexually transmissible infection (STI) transmission or acquisition. Methods: Data were collected through a partnership with Clue, the industry-leading female health app. A brief web-based questionnaire was developed, translated into 10 languages, and made accessible via a URL link sent to Clue users and posted on social media. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥14 years, not being currently pregnant and engaging in PVI and condom use during menses in the past 3 months. The analytical subsample comprised 12889 respondents residing in 146 countries. Results: Twenty per cent indicated independent decision making about condom use during menses. Independent decision making was associated with lower odds of reporting that condoms were used for contraception (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.65; 99% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–0.73) and higher odds that they were used for the prevention of STIs (aOR 1.44; 99% CI 1.28–1.61). A third significant finding pertained to always using condoms during menses; this was less likely among those indicating independent (female only) decision making (aOR 0.69; 99% CI 0.62–0.78). Non-significant associations with another two outcomes were found: protecting the partner against menstrual blood and protecting themselves against semen. Conclusions: Findings from people in 146 countries strongly support the hypothesis that those exercising independent decision making over condom use during menses do so to avert STI transmission or acquisition. That only one-fifth of this global sample reported this type of independent decision making suggests that empowerment-oriented (structural-level) interventions may be advantageous for individuals who are the receptive partner in PVI that occurs during menses.

Pending research issues in male condom use promotion

Sexual Health ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Crosby ◽  
Lee Warner
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination ◽  
Vaginal Microbicides ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Protective Behaviour ◽  
Mass Marketing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Sufficient evidence has accumulated to warrant the expansion of condom use research in several additional directions. Possible risk compensation pertaining to human papillomavirus vaccination and vaginal microbicides is one example. A second area of needed research involves the question of when couples can be advised to safely discontinue condom use given that ‘lifelong’ condom use is not a realistic goal for most people. A third example is intensified research designed to identify more effective means of mass marketing condoms and their use as a health-protective behaviour. As the AIDS and sexually transmissible infection pandemics persist, intensified condom promotion research is an ethical imperative.

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