Perceived Controllability of Condom Use Shifts Reliance on Implicit Versus Explicit Affect

Objectives: This study integrated the framework of the behavioral affective associations model with dual process theories to investigate whether feelings about condoms operate at both implicit and explicit levels to influence condom use. We then tested whether 2 factors related to the perceived controllability of condom use (perceived behavioral control and past experience losing control in the heat of the moment) moderated the reliance on implicit versus explicit affect. Method: Sexually active young adults (N = 54) completed measures of implicit and explicit affect surrounding condoms, perceived behavioral control, and whether they attributed their prior unprotected sex to getting lost in the heat of the moment. They then completed 30 daily reports of their sexual activity and condom use. Multiple moderation analysis using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models tested the relative influence of implicit and explicit affect on condom use at varying levels of perceived controllability. Results: Both perceived behavioral control and past unprotected sex because of getting lost in the heat of the moment moderated the effects of both implicit and explicit affect on behavior, ps <. 05. Only implicit affect predicted condom use among participants who had gotten lost in the heat of the moment and who had low perceived behavioral control. Only explicit affect predicted condom use among participants without a history of getting lost in the heat of the moment and who had high perceived behavioral control. Conclusion: Feelings about condoms predicted condom use at either an implicit or explicit level, depending on perceived controllability, suggesting this is an important moderator of whether implicit processes drive condom use.