Perceived controllability of condom use shifts reliance on implicit versus explicit affect

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Dual process theories suggest behaviors are influenced by both automatic (implicit) and deliberate (explicit) processes.
• Affective associations play a role in health behaviors, including condom use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if implicit and explicit affect towards condoms influence condom use.
• To examine if perceived behavioral control and past experiences moderate the influence of implicit versus explicit affect on condom use.

Main Methods:

• 54 sexually active young adults completed questionnaires on affect, perceived control, and past behaviors.
• Daily diaries recorded sexual activity and condom use over 30 days.
• Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used for moderation analysis.

Main Results:

• Perceived behavioral control and past experiences of losing control moderated the effects of both implicit and explicit affect on condom use.
• Implicit affect predicted condom use in those with low perceived control and a history of losing control.
• Explicit affect predicted condom use in those with high perceived control and no history of losing control.

Conclusions:

• Feelings about condoms influence use at implicit or explicit levels, contingent on perceived controllability.
• Perceived controllability is a key moderator determining whether implicit processes drive condom use.