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Sexual risk behaviour

from Psychology, health and illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2014

By
Lorraine Sherr
Edited by
Susan Ayers ,
Andrew Baum ,
Chris McManus ,
Stanton Newman ,
Kenneth Wallston ,
John Weinman  and
Robert West
Lorraine Sherr
Affiliation:
Royal Free and University College Medical School
Susan Ayers
Affiliation:
University of Sussex
Andrew Baum
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
Chris McManus
Affiliation:
St Mary's Hospital Medical School
Stanton Newman
Affiliation:
University College and Middlesex School of Medicine
Kenneth Wallston
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
John Weinman
Affiliation:
United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas's
Robert West
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
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Summary

Sex and risk – strange bedfellows

It is strange that the concept of sexual behaviour – the most normal and human of behaviours – should be considered in the same context as ‘risk’, which relates to extreme, out of the norm and potentially danger invoking behaviours. Yet the concept of sexual risk behaviour has been well established. Sexual risk and the underlying related issues are of great importance in the pursuance and sustaining of health.

What is meant by risk?

There are a number of theories which try to encapsulate the concept of risk and risk behaviour (see ‘Risk perception’). Generally, risk behaviour can be divided into two forms, namely (1) risk exposure and (2) risk seeking. Risk exposure concerns the situational variables associated with risk, often, but not always, not under the direct control of the individual. Risk seeking encompasses all behaviours where there is some active planning or behaviour to seek out risk. However, it may also include an absence of behaviour, which may result in risk. So for example the non-use of contraception may be seen as a risky behaviour, where inactivity or the failure to behave is the core risk determinant. Whilst seeking unprotected sex with a casual partner may be a more active risk-seeking behaviour, where the action (rather than the inaction) is at the core of the risk exposure.

There is also a difference between risk seeking and risk exposure. Many acts may be potentially risky, but the actual risk is unknown.

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Information
Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine , pp. 194 - 198
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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