SOCIAL-COMPARISON, THE THREAT OF AIDS, AND ADOLESCENT CONDOM USE

This study tested hypotheses from social comparison theory about adole scent condom use. Questionnaires were administered to 457 twelfth-grad e students (284 sexually active). Three different operationalizations of social comparison were used-comparative ratings, affiliative prefer ences, and derogation; each produced different results. Low condom use rs who felt threatened by AIDS made more downward comparative ratings regarding condom use than did unthreatened low users. In contrast, low users preferred upward affiliations with high users. Adolescents with higher self-esteem derogated adolescents with AIDS less as threat inc reased. Adolescents with lower self-esteem who made downward comparati ve ratings were more satisfied with their own past condom use. Satisfi ed low condom users were less likely to intend condom use in the futur e. The results provide evidence that downward comparison may act indir ectly to deter behavioral change.