Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Do Assessments of HIV Risk Behaviors Change Behaviors and Prevention Intervention Efficacy? An Experimental Examination of the Influence of Type of Assessment and Risk Perceptions

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Behavioral assessments may change behaviors and responses to behavioral interventions, depending on assessment type and respondents’ motivations.

Purpose

We observed effects on sexual behavior and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention efficacy of interviews assessing recent HIV risk behavior frequency or HIV risk behavior events among respondents with different perceptions of their risk for HIV.

Methods

Young South African sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic clients (N = 1,728) participated in a 3 (event-based vs. frequency-based vs. no interview) by 2 (evidence-based vs. standard of care risk-reduction session) RCT.

Results

The interviews increased reported safer sexual behavior among youth with higher but not lower risk perceptions. The intervention session was less effective when combined with interviews, particularly among lower risk perception youth. Patterns replicated for both interviews.

Conclusions

HIV risk behavior assessments may increase resistance to interventions among unmotivated youth and enhance safer sexual behavior among motivated youth. Behavioral assessments may reduce HIV risk among motivated individuals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Albarracin D, Gillette JC, Earl AN, Glasman LR, Durantini MR, Ho MH. A test of major assumptions about behavior change: A comprehensive look at the effects of passive and active HIV-prevention interventions since the beginning of the epidemic. Psychol Bull. 2005;131(6):856-897.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Johnson BT, Scott-Sheldon LA, Huedo-Medina TB, Carey MP. Interventions to reduce sexual risk for human immunodeficiency virus in adolescents: A meta-analysis of trials, 1985–2008. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2011;165(1):77-84.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Scott-Sheldon LA, Huedo-Medina TB, Warren MR, Johnson BT, Carey MP. Efficacy of behavioral interventions to increase condom use and reduce sexually transmitted infections: A meta-analysis, 1991 to 2010. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2011;58(5):489-498.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Eaton LA, Huedo-Medina TB, Kalichman SC, et al. Meta-analysis of single-session behavioral interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: Implications for bundling prevention packages. Am J Public Health. 2012;102(11):e34-e44.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bernstein JA, Bernstein E, Heeren TC. Mechanisms of change in control group drinking in clinical trials of brief alcohol intervention: Implications for bias toward the null. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2010;29(5):498-507.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. French DP, Sutton S. Reactivity of measurement in health psychology: How much of a problem is it? What can be done about it? Br J Health Psychol. 2010;15(3):453-468.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Godin G, Sheeran P, Conner M, et al. Which survey questions change behavior? Randomized controlled trial of mere measurement interventions. Health Psychol. 2010;29(6):636-644.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Morwitz VG, Fitzsimons GJ. The mere-measurement effect: Why does measuring intentions change actual behavior? J Consum Psychol. 2004;14(1–2):64-74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Campbell DT, Stanley JC. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Chicago: Rand McNally; 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hufford MR, Shields AL, Shiffman S, Paty J, Balabanis M. Reactivity to ecological momentary assessment: An example using undergraduate problem drinkers. Psychol Addict Behav. 2002;16(3):205-211.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Miller JH, Moyers T. Motivational interviewing in substance abuse: Applications for occupational medicine. Occup Med. 2002;17(1):51-65. iv.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Albarracin D, McNatt PS. Maintenance and decay of past behavior influences: Anchoring attitudes on beliefs following inconsistent actions. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2005;31(6):719-733.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Bem DJ. Self-perception: An alternative interpretation of cognitive dissonance phenomena. Psychol Rev. 1967;74(3):183-200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Glasman LR, Albarracin D. Forming attitudes that predict future behavior: A meta-analysis of the attitude–behavior relation. Psychol Bull. 2006;132(5):778-822.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Conner M, Godin G, Norman P, Sheeran P. Using the question-behavior effect to promote disease prevention behaviors: Two randomized controlled trials. Health Psychol. 2011;30(3):300-309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Godin G, Sheeran P, Conner M, Germain M. Asking questions changes behavior: Mere measurement effects on frequency of blood donation. Health Psychol. 2008;27(2):179-184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Williams P, Block LG, Fitzsimons GJ. Simply asking questions about health behaviors increases both healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Soc Influ. 2006;1(2):117-127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Bien TH, Miller WR, Tonigan JS. Brief interventions for alcohol problems: A review. Addiction. 1993;88(3):315-335.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Gerrard M, Gibbons FX, Warner TD. Effects of reviewing risk-relevant behavior on perceived vulnerability among women marines. Health Psychol. 1991;10(3):173-179.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Weinhardt LS. Effects of a detailed sexual behavior interview on perceived risk of HIV infection: Preliminary experimental analysis in a high risk sample. J Behav Med. 2002;25(2):195-203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Carballo-Dieguez A, Dolezal C, Leu CS, et al. A randomized controlled trial to test an HIV-prevention intervention for Latino gay and bisexual men: Lessons learned. AIDS Care. 2005;17(3):314-328.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kalichman SC, Kelly JA, Stevenson LY. Priming effects of HIV risk assessments on related perceptions and behavior: An experimental field study. AIDS Behav. 1997;1:3-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Tulving E. Multiple memory systems and consciousness. Hum Neurobiol. 1987;6(2):67-80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sherman SJ. On the self-erasing nature of errors of prediction. 1980;39:211–221

  25. Raghubir P, Menon G. AIDS and me, never the twain shall meet: The effects of information accessibility on judgments of risk and advertising effectiveness. J Consum Res. 1998;25(1):52-63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Das EH, de Wit JB, Stroebe W. Fear appeals motivate acceptance of action recommendations: Evidence for a positive bias in the processing of persuasive messages. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2003;29(5):650-664.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Hull SJ. Perceived risk as a moderator of the effectiveness of framed HIV-test promotion messages among women: A randomized controlled trial. Health Psychol. 2012;31(1):114-121.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Tversky A, Kahneman D. The framing of decisions and the psychology of choice. Science. 1981;211(4481):453-458.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Fitzsimons GJ, Moore SJ. Should we ask our children about sex, drugs and rock & roll? Potentially harmful effects of asking questions about risky behaviors. J Consum Res. 2008;18(2):82-95.

    Google Scholar 

  30. van Sluijs EM, van Poppel MN, Twisk JW, van Mechelen W. Physical activity measurements affected participants' behavior in a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Epidemiol. 2006;59(4):404-411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Spence JC, Burgess J, Rodgers W, Murray T. Effect of pretesting on intentions and behaviour: A pedometer and walking intervention. Psychol Health. 2009;24(7):777-789.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Clifford PR, Maisto SA, Davis CM. Alcohol treatment research assessment exposure subject reactivity effects: Part I. Alcohol use and related consequences. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2007;68(4):519-528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Clifford PR, Maisto SA. Subject reactivity effects and alcohol treatment outcome research. J Stud Alcohol. 2000;61(6):787-793.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Clifford PR, Maisto SA, Franzke LH, Longabaugh R, Beattie MC. Alcohol treatment research follow-up interviews and drinking behaviors. J Stud Alcohol. 2000;61(5):736-743.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Maisto SA, Clifford PR, Davis CM. Alcohol treatment research assessment exposure subject reactivity effects: Part II. Treatment engagement and involvement. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2007;68(4):529-533.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Epstein EE, Drapkin ML, Yusko DA, Cook SM, McCrady BS, Jensen NK. Is alcohol assessment therapeutic? Pretreatment change in drinking among alcohol-dependent women. J Stud Alcohol. 2005;66(3):369-378.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kaminer Y, Godley M. From assessment reactivity to aftercare for adolescent substance abuse: Are we there yet? Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2010;19(3):577-590.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. McCambridge J, Kypri K. Can simply answering research questions change behaviour? Systematic review and meta analyses of brief alcohol intervention trials. PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e23748.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Jenkins RJ, McAlaney J, McCambridge J. Change over time in alcohol consumption in control groups in brief intervention studies: Systematic review and meta-regression study. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2009;100(1–2):107-114.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Walters ST, Vader AM, Harris TR, Jouriles EN. Reactivity to alcohol assessment measures: An experimental test. Addiction. 2009;104(8):1305-1310.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Garone, D., Hilderbrand, K., Boulle, A., Coetzee, D., Goemaere, E., Van Cutsem, G., Besada,D. Khayelitsha 2001–2011: 10 years of primary care HIV and TB programmes. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine. 2011;12(4)

  42. Kalichman SC, Cain D, Eaton L, Jooste S, Simbayi LC. Randomized clinical trial of brief risk reduction counseling for sexually transmitted infection clinic patients in Cape Town. S Afr Am J Public Health. 2011;101(9):e9-e17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Bandura A. Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:1-26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. NIMH Collaborative HIV/STD Prevention Trial Group. Results of the NIMH collaborative HIV/sexually transmitted disease prevention trial of a community popular opinion leader intervention. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2010;54(2):204-214.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by NIMH grant R01 MH077515 and NIMH Center Grant 5P30 MH052776-20. The authors thank the study staff and participants for their contributions to the research, as well as the City of Cape Town Health Department for their support for the project.

Conflict of Interest and Adherence to Ethical Standards

Laura R. Glasman, Donald Skinner, Laura M. Bogart, Seth C. Kalichman, Timothy McAuliffe, Cheryl A. Sitzler, Yoesrie Toefy, and Lance S. Weinhardt declare that they have no conflict of interest. All procedures, including the informed consent process, were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional review boards of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Stellenbosch University, and the City of Cape Town Health Department and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Laura R. Glasman Ph.D., Timothy McAuliffe Ph.D. & Cheryl A. Sitzler M.A.

  2. Unit for Research on Health and Society, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Donald Skinner Ph.D. & Yoesrie Toefy M.A.

  3. Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Laura M. Bogart Ph.D.

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Seth C. Kalichman Ph.D.

  5. Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Lance S. Weinhardt Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Laura R. Glasman Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Donald Skinner Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Laura M. Bogart Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Seth C. Kalichman Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Timothy McAuliffe Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Cheryl A. Sitzler M.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yoesrie Toefy M.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Lance S. Weinhardt Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura R. Glasman Ph.D..

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Glasman, L.R., Skinner, D., Bogart, L.M. et al. Do Assessments of HIV Risk Behaviors Change Behaviors and Prevention Intervention Efficacy? An Experimental Examination of the Influence of Type of Assessment and Risk Perceptions. ann. behav. med. 49, 358–370 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9659-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9659-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation