Motivations for condom use and nonuse

This exploratory study investigates the motivations for condom use and nonuse among a sample of drug users and nonusers. Participants who reported condom use in the previous 30 days rated various reasons for using a condom the last time they had had sex (79 participants). Those who reported not using a condom rated reasons for not using a condom the last time they had had sex (147 participants). Factor analyses of these responses were used to summarize reasons for condom use and nonuse. It was found that a peer norms motivation and a relationship motivation (caring) supported both condom use and nonuse. A moral norms motivation supported condom use, but a motivation that denied moral norms supported nonuse. A self interest motivation of personal pleasure supported nonuse. No strictly self-interest motivation was identified for condom use: self-protection was associated with protection of the partner.