Response and Self-Efficacy of Condom Use: A Meta-Analysis of this Important Element of AIDS Education and Prevention

A meta-analysis involving 134 estimates of the relationship of self-efficacy (belief in one's ability to perform a behavior) and response-efficacy (belief that a response will be effective) to reduce risk for HIV infection was conducted. Witte's Extended Parallel Processing Model (EPPM) for fear appeals suggests that both of these elements would be requirements for successful educational efforts. The overall averages indicate that self-efficacy (average r = .244) is more predictive than response-efficacy (average r =. 093) for reduction of risk, intended or actual. Moderators of type of risk outcome (condom-use intention, self-report of condom use, number of sexual partners, and overall risk measures), sexual orientation (homosexual and heterosexual), HIV serostatus (positive or negative), sample type (college student, high school student, adult, STD clinic attendee, or intravenous drug user), and sex are examined. The results indicate the importance of a prevention message focusing on raising self-efficacy to increase condom use.