Emotional intimacy predicts condom use: findings in a group at high sexually transmitted disease risk

Previous studies have reported an inverse relationship between condom use and emotional intimacy. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between condom use and emotional intimacy. The study was a gonorrhoea case-comparison study with the samples being drawn from public health clinic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of STD & AIDS 2009-11, Vol.20 (11), p.761-764
Main Authors: Damani, R, Ross, M W, Aral, S O, Berman, S, St Lawrence, J, Williams, M L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
African Americans
AIDS/HIV
Biological and medical sciences
Condoms - utilization
Cross-Sectional Studies
Epidemiology. Vaccinations
Female
General aspects
Humans
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Object Attachment
Risk Factors
Safe Sex
Sexual Partners - psychology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Texas - epidemiology
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Summary:Previous studies have reported an inverse relationship between condom use and emotional intimacy. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between condom use and emotional intimacy. The study was a gonorrhoea case-comparison study with the samples being drawn from public health clinics (cases) and select bars/nightclubs (places) of Houston, TX (n = 215). Data were collected by questionnaires administered on a laptop computer. The majority of respondents were African-American (97.7%), women (69.3%) and had either high school or GED education (72.6%). Condom use with the last sexual partner was analysed along with intimacy with that partner assessed on a 3-point scale. Analysis showed that higher intimacy was related to greater condom use which was significant in men but not in women. In conclusion, these data were opposite to those of previous studies, which showed an inverse relationship between condom use and emotional intimacy. We hypothesize that in a high-risk environment, people exert more effort in protecting those they feel closer to. These data suggest a need to further explore the complex relationship between emotional intimacy and condom use.
ISSN:0956-4624
1758-1052
DOI:10.1258/ijsa.2009.009238