       Document 0090
 DOCN  M9620090
 TI    The relationship of moral reasoning and AIDS knowledge to risky sexual
       behavior.
 DT    9602
 AU    Hubbs-Tait L; Garmon LC; Ohio State University, USA.
 SO    Adolescence. 1995 Fall;30(119):549-64. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96020071
 AB    Two hypotheses were tested in this study: (a) moral reasoning and risky
       sexual behaviors are inversely correlated; (b) the relationship between
       AIDS knowledge and sexual behavior is mediated by moral reasoning such
       that AIDS knowledge and risky sexual behaviors are inversely correlated
       for higher-level moral reasoners but not for lower-level reasoners.
       Subjects were 103 undergraduate students who completed an instrument
       assessing moral reasoning, the Defining Issues Test, and two
       questionnaires assessing sexual behavior and knowledge about AIDS.
       Factor analysis identified five sexual risk-taking factors with alphas
       of .60 or higher. Results supported both hypotheses: (a) Risk taking
       during sexual intercourse (i.e., lower likelihood of using condoms) and
       risk taking during anal sex were significantly inversely correlated with
       moral reasoning; (b) For high moral reasoners, two measures of sexual
       risk taking were significantly negatively correlated with knowledge
       about AIDS: as knowledge increased, risk taking during sexual
       intercourse and engagement in a variety of sexual experiences decreased.
       The reverse relationship was true for low moral reasoners. Implications
       for moral development theory and research as well as for AIDS prevention
       campaigns are discussed.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/  PSYCHOLOGY
       Adult  Condoms  Factor Analysis, Statistical  Female  Human  Judgment
       *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  Midwestern United States  *Morals
       *Risk-Taking  *Sex Behavior  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

