PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND AIDS-RELATED BEHAVIOR OF HOMOSEXUAL MEN - MEASUREMENT AND ASSOCIATIONS

The primary objective of this study was to conduct measurement and data-reduction procedures of selected psychosocial measures used in AIDS-related behavioral research. Secondly, we investigated the associations of the psychosocial scales relative to other personal and health serviceslinformation factors with one selected AIDS protective behavior among asymptomatic homosexual/bisexual mern Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Factor analysis and regression modeling were used to address the study objectives. Factor analyses validated the relationships between 53 survey items and 12 hypothesized constructs suggested by several theories of behavior change. These constructs included perceptions of susceptibility, beliefs of social network members, opinions about HPV testing, medical efficacy, related health habits and barriers to behavior change. Regression modeling demonstrated the relative importance of psychosocial scales to other variables in understanding associations with total number of sexual partners. © 1990, SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC. All rights reserved.