Most successful HIV risk reduction interventions include communications skills training in their content. However, this skills training tends to be very basic, in that we know very little about how different styles of sexual negotiation are perceived and received by sexual partners. This study investigated the social validity of several theoretically-based strategies that might be employed by men and women when negotiating condom use with a sexual partner. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 48 unmarried, heterosexually-active African-American men and women (26 men, 22 women) between the ages of 18 and 35 regarding their perceptions of six condom negotiation strategies, derived from power bases described by Raven (1992). Data were analyzed using a narrative understanding approach. Results showed consistent gender differences in judgments of strategy persuasiveness and perceived consequences of request acquiescence or refusal. Strategies based on referent power were most well received by female participants, with strategies based on legitimate and reward power also judged as effective, negative responses tended to show up most often with strategies based on informational power. Male participants, however, responded most consistently positively to reward-based strategies. in particular, a subset of men responded with aggression or anger to use of a coercive strategy by a female partner. Relationship value appears to mediate judgment of strategy effectiveness. This information can be used to more specifically inform media-based messages and communication components of HIV prevention programs, and may increase their effectiveness in promoting HIV behavioral risk reduction.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. List the six bases of social power as described by Raven (1992); 2. Describe the condom use negotiation strategies, based on the above social power bases, judged most/least effective and most/least liked by study participants. 3. Describe the implications of these results for STD/HIV interventions and media-based condom use messages
Keywords: Communication, Condom Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.