Psychosocial predictors of reported behavior change in homosexual men at risk for AIDS

This article investigates the relationship between psychosocial factors and gay men’s attempts to change their sexual behavior in response to the threat of AIDS. Questionnaire data collected from 909 homosexual men at risk of AIDS were used to quantify potential psychosocial predictors of health behavior. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between these predictor variables and five self-reported behaviors which may reduce transmission of HTLV-III. Knowledge regarding AIDS was consistently and positively related to each of the outcome measures. Perceived risk of AIDS and the perceived efficacy of behavioral changes for reducing one’s chances of developing AIDS were also related to multiple outcome measures. Difficulties with sexual impulse control, belief in biomedical technology to prevent/cure AIDS, and perceived social norms were related only to behaviors which would alter the number or type of one’s sexual partners. Gay social network affiliation was not related to any of the outcomes assessed in these analyses. A negative interaction between perceived risk of AIDS and the perceived efficacy of behavioral change was observed for several outcomes. Implications of this work for the development of public policy and educational programs are discussed. (1986)