Document 0108
 DOCN  M9460108
 TI    Perceiving AIDS-related risk: accuracy as a function of differences in
       actual risk.
 DT    9408
 AU    van der Velde FW; van der Pligt J; Hooykaas C; Department of Public
       Health, Municipal Health Service Amsterdam,; The Netherlands.
 SO    Health Psychol. 1994 Jan;13(1):25-33. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94222013
 AB    This study investigates the perceived risk of an HIV infection.
       Cognitive antecedents of biases in risk perception and their effects on
       behavioral intentions were investigated. The purpose of this study was
       to determine the relative accuracy of risk assessments for samples that
       vary in actual risk for AIDS. Subjects were citizens of Amsterdam,
       heterosexuals with private partners, gay men, and heterosexuals with
       prostitution partners. Although optimistically biased in all samples,
       perceptions of risk were related to previous risk behavior in high-risk
       samples only. Pessimism was more pronounced in samples higher at risk.
       Optimists had lower levels of previous risk behavior and increased
       intentions to adopt safe sex practices. Ss in samples higher at risk
       had, therefore, relatively adequate perceptions of risk.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*TRANSMISSION  *Attitude to Health
       Female  Homosexuality  Human  Male  Netherlands  Prostitution  Risk
       Factors  Risk-Taking  Sex Behavior  Sexually Transmitted
       Diseases/ETIOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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