Date of Award

8-1996

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Joseph R. Morris

Second Advisor

Dr. James M. Croteau

Third Advisor

Dr. Jwa K. Kim

Abstract

A sample of 214 persons was tested to determine the impact of gender role orientation, neuroticism, extraversion, authoritarianism, race, gender, and sexual orientation on attitudes and behavior relevant to the prevention of sexually transmitted disease and unintended pregnancy. Specifically measured was the impact of these factors on attitudes toward the condom as contraceptive, attitudes toward the condom as prophylactic, and reported condom use.

Gender role orientation was measured using the short form of the Bern Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) (Bern, 1978), neuroticism and extraversion were measured using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) (Costa & McCrae, 1992), and authoritarianism was measured using the Authoritarianism Scale developed by Byrne and Kelly (1981). Attitudes toward the condom as a contraceptive were measured using the Attitude Toward Condoms Scale (ATCS) developed by Brown (1984). Attitudes toward the condom as a prophylactic were measured using the Condom Attitude Scale (CAS) developed by Sacco, Levine, Reed, and Thompson (1991). Condom use was measured using the Condom Use Questionnaire (CUQ) Forms I and P developed by Sacco et al. (1991).

Data were analyzed through Multivariate Multiple Regression (MMR), Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). When appropriate, univariate multiple regression was performed for specific dependent variables.

Analyses revealed that gender role orientation, neuroticism, extraversion, and authoritarianism all significantly impacted attitudes toward the condom as contraceptive, attitudes toward the condom as prophylactic, and condom use. A positive relationship was found to exist between extraversion and more favorable attitudes while an inverse relationship was noted between neuroticism and attitudes as well as between authoritarianism and attitudes. Masculine and feminine persons were observed to have less favorable attitudes toward the condom and to use it less frequently than those who had a nontyped gender role orientation. In each case, these findings were consistent with stated hypotheses. A significant impact was not, however, established for gender, race, or sexual orientation.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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