EXPLORING TEENAGERS ADAPTIVE AND MALADAPTIVE THINKING IN RELATION TO THE THREAT OF HIV-INFECTION

Teenagers' HIV-preventive cognitions were explored within a protection motivation theory framework. Five hundred and seven adolescent men an d women from two cohorts (sixteen and eighteen) completed a confidenti al postal questionnaire. The effect of demographic variables, previous sexual experience and appraisal of threat and coping resources upon H IV-relevant cognitions was investigated using path analysis. Cognition s promoting (adaptive) and inhibiting (maladaptive) preventive behavio ur were considered. Anticipated condom use, intention to limit number of sexual partners and willingness to consider an HIV antibody test we re included as adaptive HIV-preventive cognitions. Coping appraisal me asures were strongly associated with anticipated condom use but threat appraisal measures were not. Gender, previous sexual experience, copi ng appraisal measures and denial accounted for 33% of the variance in anticipated condom use. Overall the results provided qualified support for Protection Motivation Theory. Implications for health education a re highlighted.