Perceived Level of Relationship Commitment, Sexual Risk Taking and Condom Use Among American Indian Men.

This study investigated commitment, sexual risk taking behavior and condom use among heterosexual men. The sample was 120 American Indian men ages 18-24 on the Fort Peck Reservation. Measures included sexual risk taking behaviors, attitude towards the relationship, discordance in perception of attitudes toward the relationship, and condom use. Inconsistent condom users comprised 57 % of the sample. Men with more than one sexual partner as well as men who reported inconsistent condom use reported less favorable attitudes toward their relationship. Discordant attitudes were observed in men who reported that their partner was more committed to the relationship then they were. This influenced having multiple sex partners. Inconsistent condom use decreased as respondents perceived an increasing level of partner's attachment to the relationship in comparison to themselves. Further examination of intimate partner relationship characteristics and how these dynamics influence sexual and reproductive health among American Indians is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]