A self-efficacy scale for HIV risk behaviors: development and evaluation
Smith, K.W.; McGraw, S.A.; Costa, L.A.; McKinlay, J.B.
Aids Education and Prevention Official Publication of the International Society for Aids Education 8(2): 97-105
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9546 PMID: 8727650 Document Number: 463727
To measure self-efficacy with respect to risk behaviors for HIV infection, a set of questionnaire items was developed regarding condom use, drug use with friends, and negotiations with potential sex partners. These items were tested with a sample of Latinos aged 14 to 22 years in two New England cities. A nine-item self-efficacy scale was found to have a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .77). Reliability coefficients were similar for men, women, and both English- and Spanish-speaking respondents. Strong associations with recent performance accomplishments, as specified in Bandura's social cognitive theory, support the construct validity of the scale.