Online dating provides emerging adults with a way of connecting with others more frequently and efficiently than traditional courtship. Online dating sites pose opportunities for relationships and sexual encounters, which may be accompanied by engagement in sexual risk behaviors, such as lack of condom use. The present study used the theory of planned behavior to explore psychosocial cognitions (i.e. constructs) about condom use among online daters. The sample size consisted of N = 156 emerging adults (M age = 20.6) who participated in an online survey of health behaviors and sexual risk. Using attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy about condom use, latent class analysis identified four latent classes: Consistent Condom Users (17%), Inconsistent Condom Users with Low Dating Site Usage (23%), Inconsistent Condom Users with High Dating Site Usage (40%), and Consistent Condom Non-Users (20%). Consistent Condom Non-Users had the highest probability of utilizing dating sites 2+ hours per day, the highest probability of low self-efficacy and low subjective norms about condom use, and a zero probability of using a condom. Inconsistent Condom Users with Low Dating Site Usage and Inconsistent Condom Users with High Dating Site Usage varied in their attitudes and self-efficacy toward condom use. Consistent Condom Users were low on dating site usage, high on all psychosocial constructs, and had a 100% probability of using a condom. Results highlight the need to further explore interventions throughout college campuses and online within dating sites, to strengthen attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy toward condom use among online dating emerging adults.

Background: Condom use can decrease the likelihood of acquiring STIs. Condoms are more efficacious when used consistently and correctly. However, low percentages of consistent condom use have been reported by adults and young adults, with consistent condom use decreasing with age. Furthermore, there are racial/ethnic differences in both condom use and STI incidence. Self-efficacy has been found to be positively related to condom use, and various domains of self-efficacy have been studied in previous research. Purpose: The present study explored potential sub-types of self-efficacy related to consistent condom use among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of young adults; and examined these domains as predictors of consistent condom use. Methods: A racially and ethnically diverse sample of 1240 sexually active young adults attending a minority-serving institution were surveyed on their self-efficacy beliefs about condom use and sexual behavior. Principal component analysis was used to extract relevant components related to selfefficacy. Blocked logistic regression was then applied to the component items in order to determine their predictive value and odds of consistent condom use, using race/ethnicity as a moderator. Results: Principal component analysis extracted a three-factor solution, identifying the following self-efficacy domains: Experiential Self-efficacy, Self-efficacy for Partner Communication, and Barrier Self-efficacy. Regarding the blocked logistic regression analysis, various racial/ethnic interactions emerged. For instance, Hispanic and African American young adults were seven and five times more likely, respectively, than White young adults (reference group) to use condoms consistently if they were