Using Social Cognitive Theory to Predict Safer Sex Behaviors in College Students

Abstract

Young adults engage themselves in unsafe sexual behaviors exposing themselves to getting aSTD and/or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to use social cognitive theory in predicting safer sex behaviors among college students. A cross-sectional study design was implemented among a sample of 180 sexually active college students. More than half of the survey responders were monogamous and less than a quarter had two sexual partners. A step-wise multiple regressions model indicated a statistically significant predictive model with self-efficacy, situational perceptions and self-control towards safer sex as significant predictors (48% predicted variance) of self-reported sexual behaviors.