Coping with condom embarrassment

Sarah G. Moore, Darren W. Dahl, Gerald Gorn, Charles B. Weinberg

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study assesses the embarrassment associated with purchasing, carrying, storing, using and disposing of condoms. It incorporates coping theory into the investigation of embarrassment by analysing the strategies individuals use to cope with embarrassment during condom purchase. The results of a survey show that individuals are embarrassed at various stages related to condom use. Purchasing condoms elicits the most embarrassment, followed by carrying and disposing, while using and storing are the least embarrassing. To cope with their embarrassment while purchasing condoms, people use multiple cognitive and behavioural coping strategies, with embarrassed people using more strategies. Both embarrassment and the number of strategies used decrease with age and experience. It appears that embarrassment associated with condoms remains a barrier to condom acquisition and consistent condom use, particularly among young adult populations. Coping strategies help individuals to bridge the gap between embarrassment and use.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)70-79
Number of pages10
JournalPsychology, Health and Medicine
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Condoms
  • Coping
  • Embarrassment
  • Purchasing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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