Psychosocial Barriers to Behavior Change in Preventing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

“Why haven't people changed their behavior in response to the threat of AIDS?” This article explores potential answers to that question, focusing on psychosocial barriers to behavior change relevant to preventing the spread ofAIDS. Drawing from an organizing principle known as the Health Belief Model, five variables are examined: (a) perceived susceptibility, (b) perceived severity of the consequences of a threat, (c) perceived efficacy of behaviors, (d) enablingfactors, and (e) perceived cost of behaviors. Research pertaining to each of the five variables is reviewed, and possible interventions by counseling psychologists are briefly explored.