Psychological risk factors for HIV

How people think and feel influences how they behave. Psychological factors such as risk perception, personality characteristics, and psychological states influence the extent to which people engage in high- or low-risk behaviors.

Beliefs and risk perception

People who think AIDS is a relatively minor or remote problem are less likely to take steps to reduce their risks. In addition, people who think that they personally are not at risk for HIV infection are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Personality characteristics

Other psychological risk factors, including personality characteristics such as low self-esteem, narcissism (preoccupation with the self), antisocial personality, impulsivity (the tendency to do things suddenly, without thinking about the consequences of the action), tendency to take risks, and tendency to seek out new sensations, are related to sexual risk-taking behavior (Kalichman, 1998). Coping responses also influence risk behavior. To escape from or relieve stress, some people engage in high-risk sexual behaviors or use drugs and alcohol, just as others may smoke cigarettes or overeat (Kalichman, 1998; Zierler & Krieger, 2000).