to engage is riskier sexual behavior (as a dependent variable) among a population of HIV-positive males.
Four hypotheses were tested. The quantitative results supported each of the alternative hypotheses. The alternative hypotheses were as follows:
As optimism in relation to subject beliefs about the relationship between contracting HIV/AIDS and riskier sexual behavior increases, subject willingness to engage in riskier sexual behavior will increase.
As optimism in relation to subject beliefs about the severity of AIDS increases, subject willingness to engage in riskier sexual behavior will increase.
As optimism in relation to subject beliefs about the social costs associated with HIV/AIDS and riskier sexual behavior increases, subject willingness to engage in riskier sexual behavior will increase.
As optimism in relation to subject beliefs about the health benefits associated with avoiding riskier sexual behavior decreases, subject willingness to engage in riskier sexual behavior will increase.
The findings indicated that optimism among people with HIV/AIDS has increased in relation to (1) the likelihood of contracting the disease, (2) the severity of the disease should one contract the HIV/AIDS, (3) the social costs associated with having HIV/AIDS, and (4) the benefits one accrues in relation to avoid HIV/AIDS by practicing safe sex behaviors. These findings alone are sufficient to cause concern among public health organizations. Further, however, the findings of this study indicated that (1) the frequency of engaging in risky sexual behaviors has increased among people with HIV/AIDS and (2) the increase in risky sexual behavior is associated to a statistically significant degree with the increase in optimism by people with HIV/AIDS in relation to several important factors related to the disease รน contracting the disease, the severity of the disease, social costs associated with having HIV/AIDS, and the benefit...