Fear of AIDS: Assessment and implications for promoting safer sex

Robert A Bell; Fred Molitor; Neil M. Flynn

doi:10.1023/A:1025488007373

Fear of AIDS: Assessment and implications for promoting safer sex

Robert A Bell, Fred Molitor, Neil M. Flynn

Public Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to develop a multidimensional measure of AIDS-related fears. A Fear of AIDS Instrument (FAT) was administered to 608 clients undergoing HIV testing at an anonymous test site. Factor analyses identified eight foci of fear: Infection Fear, becoming infected through Partner Betrayal, the Economic Consequences of infection, Society's Response to the AIDS crisis, Testing Concerns, worries about becoming infected through Casual Contact, the safety of Medical Procedures, and Safe Sex Communication Apprehension. All scales exhibited acceptable reliabilities and several sex differences were identified. In a second study, the FAT was revised and then administered to 669 undergraduates, along with other AIDS-related constructs. These eight dimensions of fear were again identified and preliminary evidence of construct validity was obtained. Implications for AIDS prevention message design are discussed.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	135-147
Number of pages	13
Journal	AIDS and Behavior
Volume	3
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025488007373
State	Published - 1999

Keywords

AIDS
Fear
Health promotion
HIV
Infidelity
Safer sex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Psychiatry and Mental health

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Bell, R. A., Molitor, F., & Flynn, N. M. (1999). Fear of AIDS: Assessment and implications for promoting safer sex. AIDS and Behavior, 3(2), 135-147. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025488007373

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