The impact of social capital on HIV-related actions as mediated by personal and proxy efficacies in Namibia

Social capital is associated with the enactment of positive health behaviors and health outcomes because it provides people a means to cope with life's stresses. This study asked whether, and to what extent, efficacy beliefs (personal and proxy, A. Bandura, Ann Rev Psychol 52:1-26, 2001) serve as mediating mechanism in the relationship between social capital and HIV-prevention behaviors, and if it is differentially associated with HIV-prevention behaviors that are aligned on a continuum ranging from individual action (practicing monogamy) to collective action (use of HIV services). In an investigation with a sample from Gobabis, Namibia (N = 300), regression models revealed that bonding, bridging, and linking social capital differentially predicted personal and proxy efficacy. In addition, both social capital variables and types of efficacy differentially predicted HIV-related behaviors and intentions that varied in their social demand. Our findings did not support a mediation model for efficacy in between social capital and HIV-related behaviors and intentions.