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Three psychological variables--self-efficacy, control and meaning, and perceived risk--were tested in a structural model predicting AIDS-preventive behavior. Results revealed a good model fit, indicating that these psychological variables did play a role in mediating AIDS-preventive behavior in college students. A multivariate analysis of variance and individual analyses of variance conducted for men and women also revealed gender differences on individual items of self-efficacy, perceived risk, and AIDS-preventive behavior. This study underscores the importance of identifying and assessing the psychological determinants of AIDS-preventive behavior.

An adaptation of the previously developed Exercise and Self-Esteem Model (Sonstroem & Morgan, 1989) was tested longitudinally with 93 male interscholastic swimmers from nine high schools who were evaluated at pre-, mid-, and postseason. Swimmers completed three self-perception scales that ranged from evaluations of specific swim skills (SKILL) through broader perceived physical competence (PC) to global self-esteem (SE). Performance scores (PERF) were calculated across events by standardizing swim times to a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Structural modeling analysis across the three time waves indicated an excellent data fit (chi 2 = 25.46, p > .15). The model was able to explain 84, 83, and 80% of PC, SKILL, and PERF, respectively, at the third testing period. Swim improvement tended to be small (median change = 2.9%). Relationships among variables at each testing period and among the same variables at different testing periods were large and as hypothesized. Several significant relationships occurred between different variables across different testing periods. These were not extinguished when social desirability was added to the model. Social desirability failed to significantly influence subsequent measures of any model variable.

A theoretical model of adolescent behavior is examined separately for males and females (N = 722). The model hypothesizes that depression and self-derogation may lead to a lack of purpose in life, which, in turn, may lead to suicide ideation and substance use. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation procedures were used to examine the model, using Bentler's (1984) EQS computer program, which is available from BMDP. For both the men and women, the model adequately accounted for the data although there were some important differences between the sexes. In response to psychic discomfort (i.e., Depression and Self-derogation), men are more apt to turn to drugs and alcohol, whereas women consider suicide. Conversely, the situation changes in response to feelings of meaninglessness or a lack of purpose in life. Here, the females appear to turn to substance use, whereas the males react with thoughts of suicide.