Abstract
Research suggests that intentions are an important determinant of sexual risk behavior. However, this association is often weaker than hypothesized. This research investigated whether psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety) can help to explain the intentions–behavior gap. We used data from 397 patients seeking care at an STI clinic to test whether the association between partner concurrency intentions and behavior 3 months later was moderated by distress. Intentions predicted concurrency behavior only among less-distressed individuals; however, exploratory analyses for condom use did not demonstrate this effect. Comprehensive sexual health intervention programs should address affective determinants of risk behavior.
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Acknowledgement
We gratefully acknowledge the study participants as well as the clinical and research staffs.
Funding
This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH068171) to Michael P. Carey. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00947271.
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None of the study authors have conflicts of interest to disclose.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
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McGarrity, L.A., Senn, T.E., Walsh, J.L. et al. Psychological Distress Moderates the Intention–Behavior Association for Sexual Partner Concurrency Among Adults. AIDS Behav 21, 1567–1571 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1548-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1548-x