Background: Studies have shown the role played by perceived self-efficacy in explaining condom negotiation and condom use.
Aims: The factorial structure and the psychometric properties of the Brief Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale are presented.
Method: The study included 368 men and 456 women aged 17 to 55 years ( Mage = 25.01, SD = 6.93).
Results: Exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors: fear of rejection, impulse control, and condom acquisition and negotiation, which together accounted for 68% of the total variance. That structure was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha for the Brief Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale was .71. The scale provided adequate convergent validity, and positive correlations were observed between self-reported condom use and self-efficacy for use of other barrier methods.
Discussion: This brief instrument could be a useful and appropriate measure to assess the types of condom use self-efficacy that occur at the different moments of a sexual relationship.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS; brief measure; condom use; psychometric properties; self-efficacy skills.