Empirical and theoretical conclusions of an analysis of outcomes of HIV-prevention interventions

Dolores Albarracín, Marta R. Durantini, Allison Earl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Over two decades of HIV-prevention attempts have generated a most impressive ecological data set for the test of behavioral-change and persuasion theories in the domain of condom use. An analysis of this evidence has yielded five important empirical and theoretical conclusions. First, interventions are more successful at achieving immediate knowledge and motivational change, than they are at achieving immediate behavioral change. Second, the immediate motivational change decays over time, whereas behavior change increases over the same period. Third, interventions that engage audiences in particular activities, such as role-playing condom use, are more effective than presentations of materials to passive audiences. Fourth, interventions consistent with the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, with self-efficacy models, and with information-motivation and behavioral-skills models prove effective, whereas interventions designed to induce fear do not. Fifth, expert intervention facilitators are more effective than lay community members in almost all cases. When populations are unempowered, expert facilitators are particularly effective, and they are most effective if they also share the gender and ethnicity of the target audience. Copyright @ 2006 Association for Psychological Science.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)73-78
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Attitude change
  • Behavior change
  • HIV
  • Health promotion
  • Persuasion
  • Source effects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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