INTUITIVE THEORIES OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TRANSMISSION - THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLICATIONS

Explored the use of cluster analysis to characterize the development o f intuitive theories of HIV transmission and examined relationships be tween children's theories and their attitudes regarding AIDS. In Study I, analyses of interviews with 188 children and adolescents led to th e identification of three relatively immature theories (undifferentiat ed thinking in which anything can cause AIDS, uncertainty about its ca uses, and a hybrid theory emphasizing germs as well as any form of dru g use) and two relatively mature ones (both emphasizing true AIDS risk factors but differing in their understanding of blood exchange as a c ause). Unwillingness to interact with persons with AIDS and worry abou t AIDS decreased with age and the former in particular was most closel y associated with the belief that AIDS is spread through casual contac t. In Study 2, analyses of data from a largely Mexican American sample of 306 third, fifth, and seventh graders yielded largely similar find ings despite use of different risk factor subscales. Overall, the intu itive theories approach and the use of cluster analysis in its service appear to be promising ways of assessing children's knowledge of dise ase so that appropriate interventions for different subgroups of child ren can be designed.