Correlates of Young Men's Intention to Discuss Birth Control with Female Partners
4903717.pdf

Authors

N. Tatiana Masters, University of Washington Diane M. Morrison, University of Washington Katherine Querna, University of Washington Erin A. Casey, University of Washington Blair Beadnell, Evaluation Specialists
CONTEXT

Heterosexually active men who wish to prevent conception, but are not willing to use condoms consistently, need to discuss birth control with female partners. Improving the understanding of correlates of men's intention to have such discussions is one step toward supporting this health-facilitating behavior.

METHODS

A sample of 372 heterosexually active men aged 18–25 were recruited and surveyed online between December 2010 and June 2011. Men answered questions on attitudes toward, norms regarding and self-efficacy about discussing birth control, and about endorsement of two sexual scripts. Multiple regression analyses tested these measures’ associations with intention to discuss birth control, controlling for age and relationship status.

RESULTS

Attitudes, norms and self-efficacy were each positively associated with men's intention to discuss birth control, accounting for 34% of variance. The more strongly men endorsed a traditional masculinity sexual script, the less likely they were to intend to discuss birth control (coefficient, –0.2). Endorsement of an alternative, gender-equitable “sex-positive woman” script, which emphasizes sexual pleasure and emotional connection as goals for both partners, had no association with intention.

CONCLUSION

Strategies that merit further exploration as potential supports for men's intention to discuss birth control include improving men's self-efficacy and positive attitudes and norms pertaining to such discussions, and reducing belief in traditionally masculine sexual scripts or transforming them to include discussing birth control. Future research should work both experimentally and longitudinally to document each element of the process that ends with men's full participation in effective contraceptive use. 

Author's Affiliations

Tatiana Masters is research scientist at the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, Seattle. Diane M. Morrison is professor emeritus, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle. Katherine Querna is a doctoral student, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle. Erin A. Casey is associate professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Tacoma. Blair Beadnell is research and evaluation consultant, Evaluation Specialists, Seattle. 

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Guttmacher Institute.
Volume 49, Issue 1
March 2017
|
Pages 37 - 43

First published online:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1363/psrh.12005
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1363/psrh.12005/abstract