| Adolescents represent a vulnerable subgroup at risk for HIV infection primarily through high-risk sexual behavior. Personality traits and worldview affect individual behavior, emotion, and cognition thus influencing health-seeking behaviors. Accordingly, illness is related to the manner in which benefits and risks to health are perceived. For example, personality traits characteristic of individuals who are conscientious, accountable, and organized are associated with engendering positive health outcomes. In contrast, those who are imprudent, untrustworthy, and ineffective are more inclined to engage in high-risk health behaviors such as unprotected sex. The purpose of this study is to articulate the relationship between worldview attitudes and personality traits of adolescents most likely to engage in high-risk sex behavior that would predispose them to HIV infection. This study will investigate the relationships between (1) locus of responsibility orientation and impulsive personality traits, (2) relation to authority orientation and defiant personality traits, and (3) agency orientation and impulsive personality traits. |
