A MULTIYEAR ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN AIDS CONCERNS AND HOMOPHOBIA ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

The authors studied changes in personal concerns and fears about AIDS and homophobia from 1985 to 1992 among four samples of heterosexual undergraduate students on a university campus. Over time, students' self-reported knowledge about AIDS increased, as did personal worry about HIV infection. Interest in attending an educational program increased initially, then leveled off, and fear of casual contact with people with AIDS decreased. The study findings showed no changes in homophobia. High fear of AIDS was associated with being less informed, having greater concern about infection, and being more homophobic.