The Relationship Between Masculinity Ideology, Condom Attitudes, and Condom Use Stage of Change: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Several theorists have hypothesized that traditional men’s gender roles include a prescription for sexually risky behavior (e.g., Amaro, 1995). However, few studies have empirically examined this proposition. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between masculinity ideology, condom attitudes, and condom use stage of change in a sample of 272 heterosexually active undergraduate men. Calculation of nested structural equation models supported a model in which masculinity ideology indirectly affected condom use stage of change by way of condom attitudes. Higher endorsement of masculinity ideology was related to more negative condom attitudes, and more negative condom attitudes were related to decreased readiness to use condoms consistently. These results have important implications for the reduction of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in both heterosexual men and women.