Reality testing and self-reported AIDS self-care behavior

This investigation examined the relationship between reality testing and AIDS self-care behavior for 509 urban college students. It was hypothesized that reality testing may become impaired in sexual interactions that carry the risk of HIV infection, leading to imperfect adoption of safer sex practices. Reality testing, measured by the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory, was significantly related to AIDS knowledge as measured by the AIDS Prevention Survey of Thomas and not significantly related to self-reported safer sex behavior, measured by Bassman's HIV Infection Prevention Scale.