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The Impact of Social Capital on HIV-related Actions as Mediated by Personal and Proxy Efficacies in Namibia

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Abstract

Social capital is associated with the enactment of positive health behaviors and health outcomes because it provides people a means to cope with life’s stresses. This study asked whether, and to what extent, efficacy beliefs (personal and proxy, A. Bandura, Ann Rev Psychol 52:1–26, 2001) serve as mediating mechanism in the relationship between social capital and HIV-prevention behaviors, and if it is differentially associated with HIV-prevention behaviors that are aligned on a continuum ranging from individual action (practicing monogamy) to collective action (use of HIV services). In an investigation with a sample from Gobabis, Namibia (N = 300), regression models revealed that bonding, bridging, and linking social capital differentially predicted personal and proxy efficacy. In addition, both social capital variables and types of efficacy differentially predicted HIV-related behaviors and intentions that varied in their social demand. Our findings did not support a mediation model for efficacy in between social capital and HIV-related behaviors and intentions.

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Acknowledgements

Our thanks to Erna Keulder, Research Facilitation Services (Windhoek, Namibia), and JHUCCP/Namibia. This study was funded with primary support from the United States Agency for International Development under the Health Communication Partnership project (GPH-A-02-00008-00) based at Johns Hopkins/Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs. Most importantly, we are grateful to the leaders and citizens of Gobabis, for sharing their information with us.

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  1. Communication Arts and Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 318 Sparks Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Rachel A. Smith

  2. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Hampton House, 739, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Rajiv Rimal

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Correspondence to Rachel A. Smith.

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Smith, R.A., Rimal, R. The Impact of Social Capital on HIV-related Actions as Mediated by Personal and Proxy Efficacies in Namibia. AIDS Behav 13, 133–144 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9476-z

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