Individual differences in regulatory focus have been associated with distinct perceptions and behavioral patterns. People more focused on prevention strive to avoid negative outcomes and enact more risk protective behaviors, whereas people more focused on promotion strive to attain positive outcomes and take more risks. As part of the Prevent2Protect project, we conducted a pre-registered online survey with Spanish and Portuguese adults (N = 742) to examine regulatory focus differences in self-reported STI knowledge and sexual health practices. Results showed that prevention-focused participants had heard about more STIs and retrieved their knowledge from scientific sources but had never been tested for more STIs in the past. In contrast, promotion-focused participants indicated they had specific knowledge about more STIs, retrieved their knowledge from medical and peer sources, and had been tested for more STIs in the past. They also got tested for STIs and had routine sexual health check-ups more frequently, used free testing facilities or asked their family practice doctor to get tested for STIs, and used other contraceptive methods such as birth control pills. These results were not moderated by gender. Overall, our findings show how different motives in sexuality determine sexual health beliefs and behaviors.

--

Esta publicação é um output do(s) seguinte(s) projeto(s):

• Motivational determinants of consistent condom use