WHEN 2 HEADS ARENT BETTER THAN ONE - AIDS RISK BEHAVIOR IN COLLEGE-AGE COUPLES

Individuals in intimate relationships engage in higher levels of HIV r isk behavior than do individuals engaging in casual sex (e.g., Bowen & Michal-Johnson, 1989; Misovich, Fisher, & Fisher, 1996). While there are many possible reasons for this consistent pattern of effects, few studies have focused on identifying the underlying causes. Therefore, same-gender focus groups were conducted with college-age men and women in intimate relationships as participants in order to examine, qualit atively, factors particular to relationships which are associated with HIV risk. Focus-group members indicated that concerns about questioni ng interpersonal trust and commitment in their relationship through th e introduction of condoms or HIV testing were often strong impediments to these practices. Recommendations for future HIV-prevention interve ntions specific to individuals in relationships are discussed.