The Model

This project was based around a review of all the research we could identify on behaviour change in sexual health. We contacted major research groups around the world for their experiences and input and to identify unpublished materials and studies.

 The model used to inform the study was Prospect Theory (Kahneman and Tversky) specifically, and Decision Theory more generally. We also relied on some of our own research on risk and risk perception in relationship to sexually transmitted diseases. The sections on mood and on substance misuse are implementations of CBT approaches to these problems and both Cognitive Behavioural approaches generally, and Motivational Interviewing approaches in particular, informed the risk reduction interventions. Unfortunately, theory and systematic evidence still don’t furnish all the answers in this area. They need to be supplemented by clinical experience and the project was also influenced by the clinical experience of the psychologists on the team since risk reduction is an important part of their clinical practice.

We will start to publish reviews and enabling research studies shortly.