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The Relationship-Oriented Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model: A Multilevel Structural Equation Model among Dyads

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Abstract

Transmission rates of HIV infection have increased steadily among heterosexual adults, however current theoretical models have not been tested statistically at the dyadic level in which risk behaviors occur. The purpose of the current study was to test an Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) model of HIV risk behavior (IMB) specifically articulated for heterosexual couples in established relationships using data from both members of 75 dyads. The multilevel relationship-oriented information-motivation-behavioral skills (RELO-IMB) model was evaluated at the individual and dyadic level of analysis to examine partner differences on core variables. Results indicated that not only did the RELO-IMB model provide a good fit to the data when analyzed at the dyadic level, but that the structural relations among the core variables were quite different between the individual- and dyadic-level models. This is the first theoretical model of HIV risk behavior to be analyzed at the dyadic level, and the results suggest ways to effectively design intervention strategies for individuals in intimate relationships.

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Acknowledgements

This article is based on the first author’s dissertation at the University of Connecticut. This research was supported in part by a National Institute of Health grant F31-MH069079 awarded to Jennifer J. Harman. Special thanks are due to the first author’s dissertation committee and many others for their helpful comments, including, but not limited to Blair T. Johnson, Seth C. Kalichman, Michelle K. Williams, David A. Kenny, Antonius Cillessen, Kimberly Henry, and Linda Muthén.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, B-225 Clark, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1876, USA

    Jennifer Jill Harman

  2. Center for Health, Intervention and Prevention, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    K. Rivet Amico

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  1. Jennifer Jill Harman
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  2. K. Rivet Amico
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Correspondence to Jennifer Jill Harman.

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Harman, J.J., Amico, K.R. The Relationship-Oriented Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model: A Multilevel Structural Equation Model among Dyads. AIDS Behav 13, 173–184 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9350-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9350-4

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