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AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM)

Theory Summary

The AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM), introduced in 1990, provides a framework for explaining and predicting the behaviour change efforts of individuals specifically in relationship to the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS. A three-stage model, the ARRM incorporates several variables from other behaviour change theories, including the Health Belief Model, "efficacy" theory, emotional influences, and interpersonal processes. The stages, as well as the hypothesised factors that influence the successful completion of each stage (please see attached diagram), are as follows (Catania, Kegeles and Coates, 1990):

STAGE 1: Recognition and labeling of one's behaviour as high risk

Hypothesised Influences:

  • knowledge of sexual activities associated with HIV transmission;
  • believing that one is personally susceptible to contracting HIV;
  • believing that having AIDS is undesirable;

  • social norms and networking.

STAGE 2: Making a commitment to reduce high-risk sexual contacts and to increase low-risk activities

Hypothesized Influences:

  • cost and benefits;
  • enjoyment (e.g., will the changes affect my enjoyment of sex?);
  • response efficacy (e.g., will the changes successfully reduce my risk of HIV infection?);
  • self-efficacy;

  • knowledge of the health utility and enjoyability of a sexual practice, as well as social factors (group norms and social support), are believed to influence an individual's cost and benefit and self-efficacy beliefs.

STAGE 3: Taking action. This stage is broken down into three phases: 1) information seeking; 2) obtaining remedies; 3) enacting solutions. Depending on the individual, phases may occur concurrently or phases may be skipped.

Hypothesised Influences:

  • social networks and problem-solving choices (self-help, informal and formal help);

  • prior experiences with problems and solutions;
  • level of self-esteem;
  • resource requirements of acquiring help;
  • ability to communicate verbally with sexual partner;
  • sexual partner's beliefs and behaviours.

In addition to the stages and influences listed above, the authors of the ARRM (Catania et al., 1990) identified other internal and external factors that may motivate individual movement across stages. For instance, aversive emotional states (e.g., high levels of distress over HIV/AIDS or alcohol and drug use that blunt emotional states) may facilitate or hinder the labeling of one's behaviours. External motivators, such as public education campaigns, an image of a person dying from AIDS, or informal support groups, may also cause people to examine and potentially change their sexual activities.

Source

"Behaviour Change - A Summary of Four Major Theories" [PDF]


Placed on the Communication Initiative site March 12 2003
Last Updated July 29 2003


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COMMENTS POSTED


Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 1999-11-30 00:00.

very useful, quick and consice, exactly what I was looking for. thnks.

»

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 1999-11-30 00:00.

uggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

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Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2005-04-18 06:09.

very useful

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Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2005-04-21 21:56.

I'm a Ph.D student in Sydney uni. honestly I find this theory so useful and practical. I will appriciate if you send me more informatiom about this model. I want to use this model in my Ph.D thesis. I look forward to hearing you more.

regards
Hassan

my email adress is :
hhos3500@mail.usyd.edu.au

»

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2005-06-17 13:06.

I have just comppleted my Under graduate desertation in which i tried to make a case for the use of apeals to fear in smoking cessation campaigns i believe the theories espoused in this article can be combined with theories by proponents of fear appeals.

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Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2005-07-18 19:07.

Dear Joseph
How are you? Hope be fine and enjoy. I’m Amir from Sydney University (PhD). I read your article about Reducing discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)…. Honestly I have found it very useful for my current project twhich is about discrimination and AIDS. I will be very appreciated if you send me your questionnaire and other information about this article, which you think can be useful for me. Undoubtedly your questionnaire will be a big help to me .I’m looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Best regards
Amir

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Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2006-03-08 14:05.

Thanks

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Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2006-04-27 23:22.

great!

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Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2008-01-22 02:01.

HELLO, MY NAME IS RATHANI, I AM DOING A STUDY ON THE FOLLOWING TOPIC: HIV RELATED RISK BEHAVIORS IN A SOUTH AFRICAN RURAL COMMUNITY. THE AIM OF THIS STUIDY IS TO TEST THE AIDS RISK REDUCTION MODEL (ARRM) TO SEE IF IT CAN PREDICT HIV RISK BEHAVIORS IN SOUTH AFRICAN RURAL COMMUNITY. SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR ASSUSTENCE, BY SENDING ME SOME ARTICLES ABOUT THE ARRM, SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE WITH MY SUDY.

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Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2008-03-30 02:57.

This model is fantastic to those who are intersted in studying the mathematical implications of the disesae.

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