Correlates of contraceptive behavior among unmarried U.S. college students.

The contraceptive behavior of 213 sexually active never-married U.S. college students was examined using multiple regression analyses. The type of relationship--casual or steady--was a major determinant of contraceptive use: 77 percent of the respondents involved in steady relationships reported using condoms or the pill, compared with 58 percent of the respondents involved in casual relationships. Frequency of intercourse was the best predictor of contraceptive method used within steady relationships. Several variables emerged as predictors of contraceptive method used within casual relationships, including method used at first coital experience, age, and frequency of intercourse. Situational and background factors were found to have an important impact on adolescent contraceptive behavior and to warrant further research.