Date of Award

5-1-1993

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

In an examination of heterosexual college students' knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and behavior as they relate to the prevention of AIDS in this population, the present study included two separate but related studies. The first study examined midwestern heterosexual students': (a) knowledge of HIV risk factors; (b) attitudes toward homosexuality, AIDS, and mandatory HIV testing; (c) sexual and other risk behavior; and (d) self-perception of risk for exposure to HIV. Students (N = 308) completed an assessment battery that included the AIDS Risk Behavior Knowledge Test, the AIDS Attitude Scale, the Sexual Risk Behavior Questionnaire, and a background questionnaire which assessed such things as demographics, substance use, attitudes toward homosexuality and mandatory HIV testing, and risk perception. Descriptive analyses revealed that subjects' possessed adequate AIDS risk behavior knowledge and neutral to tolerant attitudes toward AIDS and homosexuality. They also tended to agree with mandatory HIV testing and to rate their perceived risk for exposure to HIV as low to none. Analyses also revealed that the majority of students are sexually active but do not consistently practice AIDS risk-reduction behavior. Finally, t-tests exploring differences in groups based on gender, AIDS knowledge, previous AIDS education, and risk perception found several interesting group differences on several measures.The second study evaluated the effects of a one-session intervention for AIDS prevention on students': (a) knowledge of HIV risk factors; (b) attitudes toward homosexuality, AIDS, risk reduction, and mandatory HIV testing; (c) sexual behavior; (d) self-perception of risk; (e) sexual assertiveness; and (f) intentions to practice AIDS risk-reduction behaviors. Experimental (n = 42) subjects consisted of students who resided in residence halls and participated in a two-hour intervention which included education about HIV transmission, sexual assertiveness training, and self-management skills training. Control (n = 42) subjects were residence hall students who participated in an attention-control task. Immediate pretest, immediate posttest, and followup (one month) measures of AIDS knowledge, attitudes, assertiveness, and behavior were administered to both groups. In general, few significant effects were found. However, analyses did reveal some interesting findings, particularly on the attitude, risk perception, and assertiveness measures.

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