Changes in Condom Use within Adolescents' Relationships: Demographic and Relational Factors and Self-Reported Motivations for Change

Christine M. Flanigan, Bowling Green State University
Wendy D. Manning, Bowling Green State University
Peggy C. Giordano, Bowling Green State University
Monica A. Longmore, Bowling Green State University

Ku, Sonenstein, and Pleck's (1994) "sawtooth hypothesis" posits that condom use decreases within a relationship, but then increases again at the start of a new relationship. Researchers typically measure change in condom use over time by comparing condom use at first sex and most recent sex. We rely on a direct measure that asks respondents about the change in condom use over the course of their relationship. Using the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study to study recent dating relationships (N=522), we find 16% reported an increase, 33% reported a decrease, and 50% reported that their condom use stayed the same. We use multinomial logistic regression to compare groups reporting these three patterns of condom use, with demographic and relational factors as predictors. In addition, we will analyze self-reported reasons for change in condom use.