Abstinence, protection, and decision-making: experimental trials on prototypic AIDS programs

In this project experimental materials were used to test the effects of three prototypic approaches to AIDS programming on older adolescents' attitudes and behaviors regarding sex and dating. Contrary to commonly held views, the philosophic orientation of the programs (abstinence, decisionmaking, safe sex) did not in itself determine subsequent attitudes or behaviors for a college sample. However, individual characteristics of gender and sexual activity status (active/inactive) did moderate program responses, in complex and often counterintuitive ways. Factor analyses of the measures of subjects' attitudes and behavioral intentions relating to the AIDS epidemic produced a structure composed of four orthogonal dimensions (sexual motivation on dates, safe sex intentions, caution and concern about dating due to AIDS, and respect for partners who want to delay sex). Similarly, factor analyses of behavioral measures revealed three independent dimensions of subject responses (information seeking and giving about safe sex, risky dating behaviors, and frequency of sex and condom use). Implications of the findings for future health program planning, presentation, and research were discussed.