Religion and Moral Judgments of HIV-related Sexual Behaviors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction The percentage of individuals diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases yearly, and occurs at disproportionate rates. Previous research suggests that religion may be an important coping mechanism for individuals with HIV, who have lost loved ones to HIV, or who have engaged in risky sexual behaviors (e.g., Pargament et al., 2004). However, research examining the impact that religion has on an individual's moral judgment of engaging in HIV-related sexual behaviors remains unclear. Objective To examine the impact of religious beliefs, identity, and practices on women's moral judgements towards scenarios involving potential HIV transmission. Methods Women (N = 578) were asked to indicate their moral judgments towards three items separately for male and female actors: (1) having sex with someone who discloses that they have HIV and using condoms; (2) having sex with someone who discloses that they have HIV and not using condoms; and (3) getting diagnosed with HIV and not telling new sex partners. Results Multiple regression analysis revealed that the more women listened to religious music and participated in behaviors during religious services (e.g., reading scriptures), the more morally wrong they viewed male actors for having sex with someone who discloses that they have HIV and not using condoms. Further, the more women believed in souls, the more morally wrong they viewed male and female actors for getting diagnosed with HIV and not telling new sex partners. These associations held when controlling for important confounds such as age and relationship status. Conclusions The results of this study provide further understanding about the relevance of religion on individual's’ perceptions of sexual behavior. Because religious individuals tend to be interested in long-term, highly reproductive lifestyles (e.g., Hone et al., 2021), they may view a host of sexual behaviors-including HIV-related behaviors-as morally wrong as they associate them with promiscuity. Discussion focuses on how an evolutionary perspective of religion may provide insight into aspects of women's moral judgments of sexual behaviors that have yet to be systematically explored. Disclosure No