Dirty love: the effect of cleanliness of the environment on perceived susceptibility for sexually transmitted infections

R. Meertens*, I. Brankovic, R.A.C. Ruiter, E. Lohstroh, H.P. Schaalma

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is perceived to be less when the potential partner is sexually appealing. Is it possible that cleanliness of the room in which intercourse takes place also affects perceived risk for STIs? In scenario studies, participants were asked to imagine having had unsafe sex with a person they just met in that person's apartment (Study 1) or in a hotel room (Study 2) and that the next day they wake up in a room that is either quite dirty or very clean. Participants in the dirty room condition rated their susceptibility to STI higher, and had lower intentions to act the same way again. Results are discussed in terms of deductive processes, emotions, and magical contagion.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)E56-E63
JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology
Volume43
Issue numberS1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013

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