Condom Use Beliefs Differ According to Regulatory Focus: A Mixed-Methods Study in Portugal and Spain

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sexual Health

Background:

• Global rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and condomless sex.
• Previous research identified individual and situational factors influencing condom use decisions.
• The role of pleasure and safety motives (regulatory focus) in sexual decision-making requires further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how pleasure and safety motives influence condom use decisions in casual sexual encounters.
• To identify specific situations, reasons, and condom attributes associated with different regulatory focuses.
• To compare condom use expectancies and perceived barriers between pleasure-focused and prevention-focused individuals.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 742 Portuguese and Spanish adults using open-ended and quantitative measures.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data on condom use decision-making drivers.
• Quantitative assessment of condom use expectancies and perceived barriers.
• Comparison of participants based on their regulatory focus (pleasure vs. disease prevention).

Main Results:

• Pleasure-focused individuals linked condom use to unexpectedness, pleasure, and intimacy, perceived more negative outcomes, and reported higher sensation/partner barriers.
• Disease prevention-focused individuals associated condom use with education, responsibility, and control, and emphasized health protection functions.
• Significant differences emerged in decision-making drivers, condom functions, expectancies, and barriers between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Regulatory focus (pleasure vs. safety) significantly shapes condom use decision-making processes and perceptions.
• Findings can inform the development of targeted interventions and awareness campaigns for consistent condom use.
• Tailored approaches addressing specific motivational drivers are crucial for reducing STI transmission risk.