California Center for Population Research

Contraceptive behavior by an individual varies both across and within relationships, and the nature and characteristics of relationships can influence use and the type of method used. This study utilizes the retrospective sexual relationship histories of young adults available in the most recent wave (2001-2002) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to explore relationship-specific contraceptive method choice. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling is used to estimate the effects of both relationship-level and individual-level characteristics on the type of contraceptive method used at last sex. Four mutually exclusive categories for method use were constructed: condom only, hormonal method only, dual method (condom plus hormonal method), and no method. A number of relationship characteristics are significantly associated with contraceptive use even when controlling for individual characteristics. Moreover, the effects of relationship characteristics differ depending on the type of method examined. Significant between-individual variation in the type of contraceptive method used remains. Not only are the characteristics of the individuals forming the relationships of importance in determining contraceptive practices, but so too are the unique features of the relationship itself. Further investigation of other aspects of the relational context is warranted.