Effects of Optimism on the Behaviors of HIV/AIDS Subjects

This research study investigated the following question: Is an increase in the willingness to engage in riskier sexual behaviors among HIV-positive males attributable to an increased optimism on the part of such subjects in relation to the effectiveness of treatments for HIV/AIDS disease and the consequences associated contracting that disease?

The purpose of this study was to test the proposition that, among a population at-risk for a potentially deadly disease, increased optimism about the effectiveness of treatments for that disease can motivate members of such a population to reject practices that have proved to be effective in reducing the probability of contracting that disease. While the specific focus of this study was on HIV/AIDS, the proposition stated in the study purpose could be applicable to any potentially deadly disease. Knowledge of the role of optimism about the effectiveness of treatment may play in behavioral choices made by persons afflicted with a potentially deadly disease will enhance the probability that improved strategies can be developed to channel decisions in the direction of less risky behaviors.

The subjects for the study were drawn from participants in HIV/AIDS support groups for self-identified homosexual men sponsored by the St. Bridgitte Support Group Center, which is affiliated with the East Orange Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey. Data were collected from

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y, personal control or the perception that one is capable of enacting particular behaviors also is relevant. While attitudes and social norms toward working to maintain prevent HIV infection may be highly favorable, the intention to enact such behavior is reduced when an individual feels unable to spare her personal time or unable to deal with anxiety over involvement with a stigmatized group. Thus, increased feelings of personal control also increase intentions to perform a particular action; a decreased sense of personal control decreases such intentions (Witte, 1999). The TRA also considers the determinants of attitudes and subjective norms. Attitudes are viewed as a function of behavioral belief and their evaluative aspects. Subjective norms are viewed as a function of normative beliefs and motivations to comply. Generally, the more one believes that performing the behavior will lead to positive outcomes or will prevent negative outcomes, the more favorable will be one's attitude toward performing the behavior. Similarly, the more one believes that specific referents (individuals or groups) think that one should (or should not) perform the behavior, and the more one is motivated to comply with those referents, the stron
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Approximate Word count = 9853
Approximate Pages = 39 (250 words per page)

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