Safer sex in social context: Individualistic and relational determinants of AIDS-preventive behavior among gay men

This longitudinal study of gay men examined safer sex within steady relatio nships and assessed whether relationship quality influenced safer sex with casual partners. The theoretical frameworks of Rusbult's (1980) investment model of romantic relationships and of Ajzen's (1988, 1991) model of planne d behavior were used. Unprotected intercourse with a steady partner was pra cticed significantly more often when both partners in a steady relationship were seronegative and had an explicit agreement to keep it safe with casua l partners. However, there was no indication that explicit agreements reduc ed the occurrence of unsafe extrarelational sex. Both the investment model of romantic relationships and the model of planned behavior were successful in accounting for sexual risk behavior outside the relationship.