The impact of social capital on HIV-related actions as mediated by personal and proxy efficacies in Namibia

Type Journal Article - AIDS and Behavior
Title The impact of social capital on HIV-related actions as mediated by personal and proxy efficacies in Namibia
Author(s)
Volume 13
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2009
Page numbers 133-144
URL http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-008-9476-z
Abstract
Social capital is associated with the enactment
of positive health behaviors and health outcomes because it
provides people a means to cope with life’s stresses. This
study asked whether, and to what extent, efficacy beliefs
(personal and proxy, A. Bandura, Ann Rev Psychol 52:1–
26, 2001) serve as mediating mechanism in the relationship
between social capital and HIV-prevention behaviors, and
if it is differentially associated with HIV-prevention
behaviors that are aligned on a continuum ranging from
individual action (practicing monogamy) to collective
action (use of HIV services). In an investigation with a
sample from Gobabis, Namibia (N = 300), regression
models revealed that bonding, bridging, and linking social
capital differentially predicted personal and proxy efficacy.
In addition, both social capital variables and types of
efficacy differentially predicted HIV-related behaviors and
intentions that varied in their social demand. Our findings
did not support a mediation model for efficacy in between
social capital and HIV-related behaviors and intentions.

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