Although there has been a great deal of research on risky sexual behavior, there remains a need for a better understanding of the underlying social motivational factors leading to such behavior. A critical dimension in social motivation is the focus of the motives and goals. Motives and goals can be focused on a rewarding, desired end-state (approach); or motives and goals can be focused on a punishing, undesired end-state (avoidant). For example, an individual may focus on the possible rejection by their partner if they ask or offer to use a condom, and therefore, they may avoid this situation by not asking or offering and not using a condom. The overall aim of the proposed research is to present and test five implications of an approach-avoidant sexual motivation model: i) hope for affiliation and fear of rejection are associated with distinct sexual goals (approach and avoidant), ii) sexual goals influence perceptions of sexual partners' enjoyment and desire to engage in sex, iii) sexual goals are associated with condom-use, iv) sexual goals are associated with psychological well-being (loneliness, anxiety, and depression) and relationship commitment and stability; v) these associations are mediated by the perceptions of sexual partners' desire/enjoyment.
