A test of the AIDS risk reduction model: psychosocial correlates of condom use in the AMEN cohort survey

Abstract

We examined the AIDS Risk Reduction Model (J. Catania, S. Kegeles, & T. Coates) in a sample of unmarried heterosexual adults with an HIV risk factor (n = 716). Labeling one's sexual behavior as risky was associated with having a history of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly genital herpes, and fewer stereotypic health beliefs. For people with secondary sexual partners, greater condom commitment was related to increased labeling, supportive condom norms, and greater enjoyment, and high levels of condom use were related to greater condom commitment, supportive norms, greater enjoyment, and health protective sexual communication. For people with primary partners, greater condom commitment was correlated with increased supportive condom norms, greater enjoyment, and having genital herpes, and high levels of condom use were correlated with greater condom commitment, greater enjoyment, and health protective sexual communication.