Cognitive Influences on Sexual Risk and Risk Appraisals in Men Who Have Sex with Men

摘要

ObjectiveMen who have sex with men (MSM) account for more than half of new HIV infections each year. Previous research has linked cognitive variables from the Information, Motivational and Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model to sexual risk behavior, but cognitions may additionally influence risk appraisals of sexual encounters and subsequently potentiate sexual risk. The aim of this study was to use prospective event-level data to examine the direct influence of cognitive variables on sexual risk in MSM, as well as the moderating effects of these variables on the association between unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and risk appraisals of these encounters.