Adolescent Invulnerability and Perceptions of AIDS Risk

Abstract

The Elkind notion of the perceived invulnerability of adolescents and the Weinstein view about unrealistic optimism concerning undesirable events taken together predict that adolescents who engage in "at risk" sexual behaviors will underestinate their vulnerability to the AIDS virus. This study examined the AIDS risk perceptions and sexual practices of 1,008 nonvirginal, heterosexualAustralian adolescents, age 17 to 20 years. Those who perceived tlhemselves to be least at risk ofAIDS were those who had a strong stereotype of an AIDS victim, believed they had control over the possibility of their contracting the AIDS virus, were more likely to be females, and engaged in fewer unsafe sexual practices. However, the relationship between risky sexual behavior andperceived risk, although statistically significant, was only limited. A large group of respondents engaging in risky behavior saw themselves as at very low risk The perceived invulnerable group of adolescents was compared with a "risk and be damned" group who saw themselves as more vulnerable to the threat of AIDS but continued to engage in unsafe sexual practices. Educational implications for the two groups are discussed.