A comparison of health behavior constructs: Social psychological predictors of AIDS-preventive behavioral intentions

The present study focused on predicting AIDS-preventive behavioral intentio ns (i.e., intentions to discuss AIDS-related information and to use condoms ) from constructs taken from the health belief model, the theory of reasone d action/planned behavior. and social cognitive theory. Questionnaire data were collected From 124 undergraduates using scales from previously publish ed work as well as some new measures designed for this study. Perceived beh avioral control, perceived risk, attitudes, self-efficacy, subjective norms , negative expected outcomes, and perceived severity of HIV infection were correlated with at least one intention measure; but regression analyses sho wed that perceived behavioral control was the strongest independent predict or of condom use intentions and of intentions to discuss AIDS information w ith a partner. Implications for theory and application are discussed.