Belief in a just world and condom use in a sample of gay and bisexual men

Research has shown that, under certain conditions, people with a strong bel ief in a just world (BJW) perceive themselves to be less at risk for seriou s negative events (e.g., contracting AIDS). We extended this work by invest igating the relation between BJW and high-risk sexual behavior. Gay and bis exual men (N = 102) responded to a questionnaire that measured individual d ifferences in BJW, personality characteristics related to perceived relatio nship threat (e.g., interpersonal control), and frequency of condom use and anal intercourse. Results generally supported predictions. For example, am ong respondents low in interpersonal control, a strong BJW was associated w ith less frequent condom use. These results have implications for research on BJW, as well as research on the predictors of high-risk sexual behavior.