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- Title
Real and Illusory Control Over Exposure to HIV in College Students and Gay Men.
- Authors
Thompson, Suzanne C.; Kent, Douglas R.; Thomas, Craig; Vrungos, Shelley
- Abstract
Reasons for unsafe sex were examined using an illusions of control framework. Heterosexual college students (N = 301) and gay men (N = 248) were surveyed regarding perceived control over exposure to HIV, use of illusory control in chance situations and real and illusory strategies for protection against HIV. As predicted, the use of illusory control in chance situations was associated with more illusory HIV protection in both samples. Illusory protection strategies were associated with feeling less vulnerable to HIV which was mediated by perceptions of control over exposure to HIV. Suggestions for intervention include providing information about the illusory nature of some protective strategies and a focus on failing to protect oneself from STDs.
- Subjects
SAFE sex; HUMAN sexuality; AIDS prevention; SEXUAL health; SAFE sex in AIDS prevention; HIV infections; SEXUALLY transmitted diseases; COLLEGE students; GAY men
- Publication
Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 1999, Vol 29, Issue 6, p1128
- ISSN
0021-9029
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1559-1816.1999.tb02032.x