Extending the Theory of Normative Social Behavior to U.S. Gay and Bisexual Men: Testing How Perceived Social Norms are Related to Mpox Preventive Intentions

We applied the theory of normative social behavior (TNSB) to examine how perceived norms are related to mpox preventive intentions among U.S. gay and bisexual men (GBM). An online survey (439 GBM) at the 2022 outbreak peak found that injunctive norms of GBM in general were positively associated with intentions to perform three preventive behaviors. Descriptive norm-intention relationships were moderated by injunctive norms of both GBM friends and GBM in general but only injunctive norms of GBM friends aligned with TNSB predictions. Higher perceived benefits to self strengthened the link between injunctive norms of GBM friends and intentions to avoid contact with infected objects. Benefits to others and GBM community connectedness did not interact with any norms. Implications were discussed.