Heterosocial anxiety and contraceptive behavior

Abstract

In this study three hypotheses regarding the role of heterosocial anxiety in contraceptive behavior were evaluated. It was hypothesized that heterosocial anxiety would be inversely related to (a) willingness to initiate discussion about birth control, (b) the effectiveness of each partner's communication about birth control matters, and (c) use of more effective contraceptive methods. These hypotheses were assessed in a sample of college women for both their first experiences of intercourse and for their recent sexual experiences with subsequent partners. Tests of the incremental effects of two heterosocial anxiety factors when controlling for several covariates showed the following results. For a woman's first intercourse experience, general heterosocial anxiety was inversely correlated to when birth control was discussed, male partner's communication effectiveness, and use of more effective contraceptive methods. For recent intercourse experiences, general heterosocial anxiety was inversely correlated to who initiated discussion about birth control and male partner's communication effectiveness, while contraceptive task anxiety was inversely correlated to use of more effective contraceptive methods in a couple's subsequent sexual relations but not their initial sexual encounter. Results are discussed relative to the social anxiety literature and for limitations that restrict conclusions about the degree of influence that social anxiety may exert on contraceptive behavior.