DETERMINANTS OF COLLEGE WOMENS INTENTIONS TO TELL THEIR PARTNERS TO USE CONDOMS

In assessing college women's intentions to tell their partners to use condoms every time they have sexual intercourse, the present study examined the applicability of the theory of reasoned action (TORA, Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), and the additional prediction contributed by Ajzen's (1985) perceived behavioral control and Triandis' (1977) emotional reaction variables. Three hundred and twelve female college students completed a questionnaire designed to measure the aforementioned constructs. Consistent with TORA, the results suggested that these women's intentions were significantly predicted from attitudes and subjective norms. Regarding the effects of the two additional variables, only emotional reaction increased the prediction of intentions beyond that explained by TORA, whereas perceived behavioral control did not improve the prediction. Both conceptual and applied implications of these findings for health interventions to increase condom use were discussed.