Reinforcement value of unsafe sex as a predictor of condom use and continued HIV/AIDS risk behavior among gay and bisexual men.
The pleasure or reinforcement value of high-risk sex may be an important influence on success in risk reduction efforts. Seronegative gay and bisexual men (N = 297) completed measures assessing their unprotected and safer sex practices, as well as measures of cognitive and skill factors and a measure assessing the subjective reinforcement value of unprotected anal intercourse. Regression analyses showed that the reinforcement value of unprotected anal intercourse accounted for variance in predicting levels of condom use above that that could be accounted for by factors such as knowledge, behavior change intentions, perceived vulnerability, condom attitudes, and sexual communication skills. Only reinforcement value of unprotected sex and substance use significantly predicted how frequently participants engaged in high-risk sex. Increased attention to the valence of sexual reinforcers will improve HIV risk reduction models and enhance AIDS prevention efforts.
Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
J A
JA
Kelly
S C
SC
Kalichman
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012725:Sexual Behavior