Table I.
Descriptive Information Pertaining to Five Scales Employed to Assess Correlates of Correct Condom Use
| Scale/construct | # of items | Cronbach’s alpha | Response format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perceptions About Condom Use | 6 | .74 | 5-point analogue |
| Sample item: Condoms take all of the fun out of sex | |||
| Attitudes Towards Condom Use1 | 10 | .80 | 5-point analogue |
| Sample item: Condoms create a sense of safety | |||
| Partner Communication About Safer Sex | 4 | .84 | 4-point analogue |
| Sample item: How many times (past 3 months) have you and your sex partner discussed how to use condoms? | |||
| Sensation Barriers Related to Condom Use2 | 7 | .82 | 5-point analogue |
| Sample item: Condoms change the climax or orgasm | |||
| Impulsivity3 | 5 | .60 | 5-point analogue |
| Sample item: Planning takes all of the fun out of things | |||
1
Source is St. Lawrence JS, et al. Factor structure and validation of an adolescent version of the condom attitude scale: An instrument for measuring adolescents' attitudes toward condoms. Psy Assessment 1994;6:352–359.
2
Adapted from St. Lawrence JS, Chapdelanie AP, Devieux JG, et al. Measuring perceived barriers to condom use: psychometric evaluation of the Condom Barriers Scale. Assessment 1999;6:391–404.
3
Pack R, Crosby RA, St. Lawrence JS. Association between adolescents' sexual risk behavior and scores on six psychometric scales: Impulsivity predicts risk. J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Adolesc Child 2001;4 :33–47.