title: Eroticizing creates safer sex: a research synthesis.
abstract: This meta-analytic review examined the effectiveness of sexual risk reduction interventions in 21 studies (N=5,015) that integrated a safer sex eroticization component. Compared to controls, intervention participants exhibited lower sexual risk on 6 dimensions: HIV-related knowledge, attitudes toward condoms, condom use, overall behavioral risk, communication with sexual partners, and sexual frequency. Additional analyses examined pre- to post-test outcomes and showed significant improvement in condom use in the intervention compared to the control groups. Overall, findings suggest that eroticizing safer sex leads to more risk-preventive attitudes, which in turn facilitates less risky sexual behavior.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244-2340, USA. lajss@syr.edu
authors.forename: Lori A J
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Scott-Sheldon
authors.forename: Blair T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology