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Health locus of control and HIV : a study of beliefs, attitudes, and high-risk behaviours among homosexual men attending a general medical clinic

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains an epidemic illness with no known cure. Survival time after infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been lengthened considerably. Rates of new infection among the at-risk male homosexual populations have decreased. Prevention is possible through effective, targeted interventions. This study is an exploration of the role or health locus of control, an individual difference construct from the area of social learning theory, in the maintenance of health-oriented behaviours, co-risk indicative behaviours, and high-risk behaviours in a population of adult male homosexuals attending a general medical clinic. The findings result in distinctly different past histories and present patterns of homosexual behaviours among the two serostatus subpopulations. Low internal expectancy of control over health repeatedly relates in distinctive patterns with the areas of level of happiness, condom usage, and hish-risk sexual behaviours. High internal expectancy of control relates significantly to knowledge-related variables. The physician plays a pivotal role as the source of useful information in this at-risk population. The study population as a whole reports accurate knowledge about HIV and AIDS. The men have reduced high-risk behaviours, increased safer sexual behaviours, and implemented the changes advocated. Serostatus differentiates for many high-risk behavioural patterns. There remains a small core of men among the study participants who continue to participate in high-risk sexual behaviours.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.39806
Date January 1993
CreatorsDeitcher, Rebecca Ulman
ContributorsTalley, William M. (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001327406, proquestno: NN87744, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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