A self-efficacy scale for HIV risk behaviors: development and evaluation

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• HIV remains a significant public health concern, particularly among adolescents.
• Self-efficacy is a key determinant of health behaviors, including those related to HIV risk.
• Existing measures may not adequately capture self-efficacy for specific HIV risk behaviors in diverse youth populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a self-efficacy scale for HIV risk behaviors.
• To assess the reliability and construct validity of the scale in a sample of Latino adolescents.
• To provide a tool for evaluating and enhancing HIV prevention programs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a questionnaire assessing self-efficacy for condom use, drug use with friends, and negotiation with partners.
• Testing the questionnaire with a sample of 14-22 year old Latinos in New England.
• Analysis of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and construct validity (associations with performance accomplishments).

Main Results:

• A nine-item self-efficacy scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .77).
• Reliability was consistent across gender and language (English/Spanish) subgroups.
• Scale validity was supported by strong associations with recent performance accomplishments, aligning with social cognitive theory.

Conclusions:

• The developed nine-item scale is a reliable and valid measure of self-efficacy for HIV risk behaviors in Latino adolescents.
• This scale can be a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners designing HIV prevention interventions.
• Findings support the application of social cognitive theory in understanding and addressing adolescent risk behaviors.