Use of condoms: intention and behaviour of adolescents living in juvenile rehabilitation centres

The aim of the present study was to identify the psychosocial factors explaining intention and behaviour regarding condom use among a sample of 152 adolescents (44 F; 108 M) living in juvenile rehabilitation centres. At baseline, the variables derived from psychosocial theories were assessed by questionnaire. The self-report of condom use was obtained 3 months later. The variability in intention (R 2 = 0.76; P < 0.001) was explained by personal principles guiding adoption of the behaviour ({} = 0.44, P < 0.001), perceived control in adopting the behaviour (fj = 0.36, P < 0.001) and habit of using condoms in the previous 3 months (p * = 0.15, P < 0.01). Prediction of condom use yielded an R 1 of 0.49 (P < 0.001), the interaction terms formed by intention and perceived behavioural control (P < 0.01) and habit of using condoms by perceived behavioural control (P < 0.001) being the significant predictors. MANOVA analyses revealed important differences between high and low intenders on each of the items of the persona] principle scale and the perceived control sub-scales. The results suggest that the promotion of condom use among adolescents experiencing social adaptation difficulties should focus on developing the personal social responsibility that each individual has regarding Ecole des sciences infirmieres, University Laval, Quebec,