AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM)

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.