CHANGING ADOLESCENTS SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR - PERCEIVED RISK, SELF-EFFICACY AND ANTICIPATED REGRET

This article focuses on determinants of adolescent AIDS-related behavi our. First, we will focus on the perception of risk for AIDS and possi ble optimistic biases in perceived risk. The behavioural consequences of optimism or perceived invulnerability will be briefly discussed. Ne xt, we will focus on other determinants of sexual risk behaviour, i.e. self-efficacy and anticipated regret. Gender differences in the predi ctive power of these factors will be discussed. Finally, we will summa rize the results of a series of studies investigating the role of anti cipated regret as a determinant of adolescent sexual risk behaviour. T he possible contribution of stressing anticipated regret in prevention programs aiming adolescents to adopt safer sex practices will be disc ussed.