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Efficacy of the Theory of Reasoned Action in Predicting AIDS‐Related Sexual Risk Reduction Among Gay Men 1
Author(s) -
Cochran Susan D.,
Mays Vickie M.,
Clarletta Jon,
Caruso Christine,
Mallon David
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1992.tb00962.x
Subject(s) - theory of reasoned action , psychology , safer sex , social psychology , action (physics) , theory of planned behavior , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , safer , homosexuality , developmental psychology , condom , medicine , physics , control (management) , management , computer security , syphilis , family medicine , quantum mechanics , computer science , psychoanalysis , economics
This study evaluates the utility of a social psychological theory, Ajzen and Fishbein's (1980) Theory of Reasoned Action, in explicating attitude‐behavior relationships concerning the practice of “safer sex” in a sample of 297 gay men. As the theory predicts, results indicate that a positive attitude toward “safer sex” and a belief that important, influential referents encouraged such behavior covaried with intention to practice sexual behaviors that minimize risk of infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In turn, intention predicted levels of sexual risk‐taking and employment of HIV‐risk reducing strategies. Results provide support for the theory of reasoned action as a viable model of attitude‐behavior relationships in AIDS‐related risk reduction behaviors of gay men.