Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2168 - Why do I do what I do? Motivational determinants of risk taking | ||||
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Session: 18.4: Why do I do what I do? Motivational determinants of risk taking (Symposium) on Wednesday @ 14.30-16.00 in C202 Chaired by Maria Koulentianou, Joseph Lau Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Kai Jonas - University of Amsterdam , Netherlands |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: In the context of hedonistic goals, such as having sex, unattained goals can lead to counterfactual thoughts (CF, what would have happened if a condition in the past had been different). Previous research has shown that counterfactuals can influence future behavior, but has not focused on goal attainment processes that are associated with sexual risk taking. We posit that the presence of counterfactuals thoughts about unattained sexual goals leads to riskier sexual behavior and thereby increase the risk of HIV infection and STIs. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Four studies (total N = 572) with MSM and heterosexual participants (age range 18-65) quasi-experimental designs (Study 1-3, coding for the presence and type of CF), and experimental designs (Study 4, 1-factorial inducing CF, 2 control conditions) sexual risk taking intentions, past STI history as dependent measures. | ||||
| Results / Comments: MSM, young adults and adults showed more future sexual risk taking intentions when counterfactuals about sexual goals were present. MSM also had more STI episodes in the past 6 months. Taken together our results show that unattained sexual goals lead to increased risk taking and thereby increase HIV and STI risks. | ||||
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