Motivation
The main problem for college students in regards to risky sexual behavior is motivation. Students have many obstacles in their way to being motivated to use a condom every time (many researchers see different obstacle depending on what motivation or health behavior model they are using).
The main factors that predict or affect sexual behavior are (the first increases the chance of condom use, the rest decrease the chance)(Cline and Sheer, 1994):
-Reduction of health risks: If a student wants to reduce their health risk they are more likely to use protection.
-Pleasure seeking: Many students will not use a condom because they believe having unprotected sex will enhance their sexual satisfaction.
-Maintaining a good relationship: College students fear that the initiation of condom use may endanger (1) the physical relationship because the partner may not consent to sex if a condom is used, and (2) the psychological relationship because the relational partner may decrease his or her trust or liking for the partner initiating condom use.
-Personal relevance: Many students have the attitude, "it won't happen to me".
-Optimistic Bias: College students have a tendency to view their own risk as less than the risk faced by others.
-Images and beliefs about condoms and condom use: Students that report never using condoms tend to perceive condoms more negatively and perceive condoms as repulsive and embarrassing to use.
What else commonly affects condom use among college students?