Psychological and situation‐specific correlates of contraceptive behavior among university women

Abstract The current research examined correlates of two contraceptive behaviors among university women: using a campus contraception clinic, and utilizing contraception consistently. On the basis of the Sexual Behavior Sequence (Byrne, 1977), it was proposed that clinic users (versus nonusers) and consistent contraceptors (versus inconsistent contraceptors and sexually inactive subjects) indicate a relatively more positive emotional orientation to sexuality and more positive attitudes and normative beliefs regarding contraception. On the basis of past research (e.g., Foreit & Foreit, 1978), it was also expected that clinic users and consistent contraceptors report having relatively more serious heterosexual relationships. The subjects in this research were female student users (n = 91) and nonusers (n = 139) of a university contraception clinic; these women were classified as consistent (n = 85) or inconsistent (n = 62) contraceptors or as sexually inactive (n = 83). As predicted, clinic users and consistent contraceptors reported a relatively more positive emotional orientation to sexuality, more positive attitudes and normative beliefs regarding contraception, and more serious heterosexual relationships (all p < .05). An exploratory correlational analysis suggested that emotional orientation to sexuality may work through relevant attitudes and norms to affect contraceptive behavior, while seriousness of relationship—a situational factor—may have independent effects on behavior. Implications of these findings for improving the effectiveness of adolescent contraception were discussed.