Seriously mentally ill women's safer sex behaviors and the theory of reasoned action.
Seriously mentally ill women at risk for HIV infection (n = 96) participated in structured interviews assessing sexual and substance-use behavior over a 3-month period. The majority of the women (63.5%) did not use condoms. Consistent with the theory of reasoned action, attitudes toward condom use and perceived social norms about safer sex were associated with safer sex intentions. Supplementing variables from the theory of reasoned action with safer sex self-efficacy explained additional variance in safer sex intentions. Greater safer sex intentions were related to both greater condom use and less frequent unprotected intercourse. In addition, less frequent sex after drug use and a less fatalistic outlook were associated with less frequent unprotected intercourse. Life circumstances specific to this population are particularly important to examine to improve the effectiveness of risk reduction interventions for seriously mentally ill women.
Randolph
Mary E
ME
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. mary.randolph-frye@stjude.org
Pinkerton
Steven D
SD
Somlai
Anton M
AM
Kelly
Jeffrey A
JA
McAuliffe
Timothy L
TL
Gibson
Richard H
RH
Hackl
Kristin
K
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult