MORAL REASONING ABOUT SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES

The purpose of this research was to investigate moral reasoning relate d to sexual behavior that could lead to the transmission of sexually t ransmitted diseases (STDs). Using hypothetical dliemmas about situatio ns in which STDs can be transmitted, respondents were asked to explain why they believed the characters should or should not engage in risky behaviors. 40 college freshmen (M = 18.3 years) and 32 college senior s (M = 22.3 years) participated. Using Kohlberg's moral stage theory a nd Gilligan's moral orientation model, the interviews were scored for moral stage and moral orientation. Results indicated that the older ag e group had a significantly higher stage of moral reasoning than the y ounger age group when responding to dilemmas about STDs. There was a s ignificant difference in moral stage between dilemmas, reflecting the possible effect of dilemma content on moral reasoning. The overall pat tern of result shows nonsignificant gender differences in stage of mor al reasoning and moral orientation. Clinical and theoretical implicati ons of these findings for understanding the role of moral reasoning in sexual risky behavior are discussed.