Maintenance of behavioral change in a cohort of homosexually active men.
OBJECTIVE
To assess associations of perceptions of sexual behavior change with actual risk behaviors and psychosocial variables, and to determine whether perceptions of behavior change predict subsequent behavior.


METHODS
Cohort study of homosexually active men.


METHODS
Community health center in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.


METHODS
Two hundred and sixty-two cohort members who participated in follow-up in 1989 and who had at least one subsequent visit.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Composite risk behavior variable, based on unprotected anogenital contact and number of partners.


RESULTS
Of the 96% who had effected behavior change, 47% perceived that they were able to maintain those changes consistently and 58% wanted to make more changes. Perceptions of consistent maintenance were associated with lower risk behavior, lower perceived riskiness of behaviors and susceptibility to AIDS, and fewer barriers to behavior change. Desire for more change was associated with increased behavioral effort, fewer barriers to condom use, and greater perceived riskiness of current behavior. Among those with lower risk behaviors, perceived inconsistent maintenance predicted relapse to more risky behavior at the following visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived maintenance of behavior change is potentially useful in identifying individuals at risk of relapse from safer sex.
McCusker
J
J
AIDS Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003.
Stoddard
A M
AM
McDonald
M
M
Zapka
J G
JG
Mayer
K H
KH
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*