Relationship length
Many reports examine relationship extent and often infer that length is just a proxy for closeness into the relationship. Generally speaking, as intimate relationships escalation in duration, condom use decreases (Civic 1999; Crosby et al. 2000; Ku et al. 1994; Manning et al. 2009). More over, this pattern tends to duplicate it self in subsequent relationships. Ku et al. ’s (1994) sawtooth theory defines this noticed pattern by which young men utilize condoms in early stages in sexual relationships, then utilize diminishes with relationship extent, which in turn increases once more in the beginning of a subsequent relationship. Other work has discovered a relationship that is negative between period and regularly making use of contraception ( ag e.g., Aalsma et al. 2006; Brady et al. 2009; Fortenberry et al. 2002; Ku et al. 1994; Manlove et al. 2005). Likewise, Kusunoki and Upchurch (2010) report reduced quantities of condom use than hormone techniques with greater relationship extent. While longer extent could be connected with decreases in condom use, an even more comprehensive way of adult relationships requires focus on relationship characteristics and characteristics apart from timeframe.
Subjective characteristics
While building on these scholarly studies, we focus attention in the subjective aspects of relationships. A couple of studies discover that psychological closeness and greater relationship quality among subgroups of adults and teenagers are both connected with reduced condom and contraceptive use ( e.g., Aalsma et al. 2006; Brady et al. 2009; Gutierrez et al. 2000; Inazu 1987; Katz et al. 2000; Manning et al. 2009; Pleck, Sonenstein, and Swain 1988; Santelli et al. 1996). (more…)