Interactive relationship qualities and dynamics (commitment and sexual decision making) significantly predicted contraceptive use among young adults, according to a recent study. Researchers extracted data from in-person structured interviews with 536 black, Hispanic, and white participants from East Los Angeles, CA. They collected partner-specific relational and contraceptive data on all sexual partnerships for each individual, on 4 occasions, over 1 year. They found:

• Both individual and relationship factors predicted contraceptive use, but factors varied by method.
• Participants reporting greater perceived partner exclusivity and relationship commitment were more likely to use hormonal/long-acting methods only or a less effective method/no method vs condoms only.
• Those with greater participation in sexual decision making were more likely to use any method over a less effective method/no method and were more likely to use condoms only or dual methods vs a hormonal/long-acting method only.
• In addition, for women only, those who reported greater relationship commitment were more likely to use hormonal/long-acting methods or a less effective method/no method vs a dual method.