s10508-023-02536-3.pdf (698.46 kB)
Prevent2Protect project: regulatory focus differences in sexual health knowledge and practices
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 05:55 authored by David Rodrigues, Richard De VisserRichard De Visser, Diniz Lopes, Marilia Prada, Margarida Garrido, Rhonda BalzariniThe way people perceive risks and make decisions about their health is regulated by two motivational systems—prevention of harm or promotion of pleasure. People more focused on prevention strive to avoid negative outcomes and enact more health-protective behaviors. In contrast, people more focused on promotion strive to attain positive outcomes and take more risks with their health. Building upon recent evidence extending this framework to sexual behaviors and health, we conducted a pre-registered online survey (OSF) with Portuguese and Spanish adults (N = 742; Mage = 31.42, SD = 9.16) to examine whether self-reported STI knowledge and sexual health practices differ based on predominant regulatory focus. This study was part of the Prevent2Protect project (OSF). Results showed that prevention-focused participants had heard about more STIs and retrieved more of their knowledge from scientific sources but had been tested for fewer STIs in the past. In contrast, promotion-focused participants indicated they had specific knowledge about more STIs, retrieved more of their knowledge from medical and peer sources, and had been tested for more STIs in the past. They also reported more frequent STI testing, using free testing facilities or asking their family practice doctor to get tested, more routine sexual health check-ups, and more use of other contraceptive methods such as birth control pills. These results remained unchanged after controlling for demographic differences. Overall, our findings showed that different motives in sexuality shape sexual health knowledge and sexual health practices
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Archives of Sexual Behavior: an interdisciplinary research journalISSN
0004-0002Publisher
Springer NatureExternal DOI
Page range
1-13Department affiliated with
- Primary Care and Public Health Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2023-01-10First Open Access (FOA) Date
2023-02-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2023-01-10Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC