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Exploring Teenagers' Adaptive and Maladaptive Thinking in Relation to the Threat of HIV Infection

Abraham, Charles, Sheeran, Paschal, Abrams, Dominic, Spears, Russell (1994) Exploring Teenagers' Adaptive and Maladaptive Thinking in Relation to the Threat of HIV Infection. Psychology & Health, 9 (4). pp. 253-272. ISSN 0887-0446. (doi:10.1080/08870449408407485) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:20350)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08870449408407485

Abstract

Teenagers' HIV-preventive cognitions were explored within a protection motivation theory framework. Five hundred and seven adolescent men and women from two cohorts (sixteen and eighteen) completed a confidential postal questionnaire. The effect of demographic variables, previous sexual experience and appraisal of threat and coping resources upon HIV-relevant cognitions was investigated using path analysis. Cognitions promoting (adaptive) and inhibiting (maladaptive) preventive behaviour were considered. Anticipated condom use, intention to limit number of sexual partners and willingness to consider an HIV antibody test were included as adaptive HIV-preventive cognitions. Coping appraisal measures were strongly associated with anticipated condom use but threat appraisal measures were not. Gender, previous sexual experience, coping appraisal measures and denial accounted for 33% of the variance in anticipated condom use. Overall the results provided qualified support for Protection Motivation Theory. Implications for health education are highlighted.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/08870449408407485
Uncontrolled keywords: HIV, teenagers, condoms, intentions, protection-motivation.
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: P. Ogbuji
Date Deposited: 27 Aug 2009 18:42 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/20350 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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