Personalizing AIDS risk through self disclosure: Implications for peer-based prevention programs

AIDS prevention programs incorporating peer-led discussion appear to encourage safer-sex in some populations, partially because they help participants personalize risk (Baldwin, 1995). Research is unclear about the communication mechanisms which account for these effects. This study of 60 peer discussions about AIDS describes several forms of private self-disclosure which may be indicative of risk personalization. In addition to documenting the nature and prevalence of disclosure types, results indicate that AIDS-related self-disclosure in this context is positively sanctioned by peers. As expected, female and male peers exhibited different patterns of AIDS-related disclosure. Implications for theory, including the Health Belief Model and Theory of Reasoned Action are discussed as are implications for peer-based AIDS intervention programs.