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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2009 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Dev Rev. 2008 Mar;28(1):107–144. doi: 10.1016/j.dr.2007.11.002

Table 3. Categorical Thinking Scale (9 items).

  1. If you keep having unprotected sex, risk adds up and you WILL get pregnant or get someone pregnant.

  2. When in doubt about having sex, delay or avoid it.

  3. If you keep having unprotected sex, risk adds up and you WILL get a sexually transmitted disease.

  4. Even low risks add up to 100% if you keep doing it.

  5. It only takes ONCE to get pregnant or get an STD.

  6. Even low risks happen to someone.

  7. Even if you use condoms, eventually you'll get an STD if you have sex enough.

  8. Once you have HIV/AIDS, there is no second chance.

  9. If you can't handle getting protection, you are not ready for sex.

Responses made using 5-point Likert-type scales (0 = strongly disagree; 4 = strongly agree). Greater agreement of items reflects categorical risk avoidance.