The relationship between social norms and sexual risk-reduction intentions and behavior among men who have sex with men: Findings from an eHealth intervention.

Abstract

Normative-based research has found that norms are significant predictors of safe sex behavioral intentions and behavior. Research shows that group identity moderates the relationship between norms and intentions/behavior. The present study used the theory of normative social behavior to evaluate whether identification with characters in an HIV-prevention interactive video moderated the relationship between sexual risk-taking norms and risk reduction intentions/behavior. Participants included 540 men between the ages 18 and 30 enrolled in a randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up. We found support for the hypothesized interaction. At low levels of character identification, the negative relationship between sexual risk-taking norms and risk reduction intentions was strong. However, as character identification increased, the link between norms and intentions became weaker. The mean intentions score of high-risk norm participants was elevated to the level reported by low risk norm participants, demonstrating the favorable effect of character identification on narrative persuasion in entertainmenteducation. The utility of a social norms approach to health behavior change is discussed in the context of eHealth interventions.

Leveraging mHealth for the Treatment and Management of PLHIV

“…[21][22][23][24]29,31,34,38,39,47 There were 10/74 (14%) instances of changed behavior, which included the following: decreased risk-taking behavior, decreased risky sex behavior, increased mindfulness, decreased impulsivity, decreased condomless anal intercourse, changed diet, and safer sex agreements with partner. 27,30,35,38,39,46,50 There were 4/74 (5%) instances of three themes: increased physical health outcomes, which included fever, chills, sweats, neuropathy, weight loss, fatigue, and genital tract inflammation, 22,24,37 no statistical difference in improvement with the control group, which means it is equally as effective as traditional care, 21,28,31,38 and reduced HIV RNA or increased viral suppression. 22,31,32,39 There were 3/74 (4%) instances of two themes: decreased substance use, which included a decrease in drug cravings, [21][22][23] and an increased quality of life, which included peace of mind or increased confidence to enjoy a sex life.…”

“…Changed behavior 27,30,35,38,39,46,50 * 10 Increased physical health conditions 22,24,37 * 4 No statistical difference 21,28,31,38 4 Reduced HIV RNA 22,31,32,39 4…”

“…As established in the literature, a summary table is provided in Table 1: PICOS (participants, intervention, comparison (to control or other group), observation, study design). Of the 32 studies analyzed over the 5-year period, two were from 2017, 20,21 five were from 2018, [22][23][24][25][26] ten were from 2019, [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] seven were from 2020, [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] five were from 2021, [44][45][46][47][48] and three were from 2022. [49][50][51] All the studies used adults as participants (>18).…”

“…Improved mental health conditions 20,23,24,33,36,38,40,43,44,49,51 * 18 Increased care engagement 21-24,29,31,34,38,39,47 * 13 Changed behavior 27,30,35,38,39,46,50 * 8…”

“…mHealth apps, eHealth apps, and mHealth SMS comprised 71% (26/32) of the modalities analyzed. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]39,41,42,44,47 Also, 26/32 (71%) used either RCT or other robust experiments as the modality. [20][21][22]24,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][42][43][44]46,[49][50][51] Although effectiveness was not one of the objectives of this review, the results of physical and mental health (primary outcomes), 20,…”