title: A self-efficacy scale for HIV risk behaviors: development and evaluation.
abstract: To measure self-efficacy with respect to risk behaviors for HIV infection, a set of questionnaire items was developed regarding condom use, drug use with friends, and negotiations with potential sex partners. These items were tested with a sample of Latinos aged 14 to 22 years in two New England cities. A nine-item self-efficacy scale was found to have a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .77). Reliability coefficients were similar for men, women, and both English- and Spanish-speaking respondents. Strong associations with recent performance accomplishments, as specified in Bandura's social cognitive theory, support the construct validity of the scale.
authors.affiliation: New England Research Institutes, Watertown, Massachusetts 02172, USA.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McGraw
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: McKinlay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009511:New England; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000208:ethnology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome