Testing the Interpersonal-Behavior model to explain intentions to use patient-delivered partner therapy

Background: Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) is an evidence-based method of partner treatment, but further research was needed to understand theoretical underpinnings of potential PDPT use. Purpose: We sought to develop and test a theoretical framework to understand PDPT intentions. Methods: A Midwestern sample of sexually transmitted infection clinic patients were recruited to participate in a three-phase study incorporating semi-structured interviews (n = 20, total), cognitive interviews (n = 5), and surveys (n = 197; Mage = 31.3, 61% male, 91% Black or African-American). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify major themes, which guided development and testing of a theoretical framework on PDPT intentions using structural equation modeling. Results: We identified themes of information (knowledge); motivation (individual and partner protection beliefs, partner and provider motivation-to-comply); social support (sexual health and general); and behavioral skills (partner notification, medication delivery, and communication skills self-efficacy) in thematic analysis. The developed Interpersonal-Behavior model demonstrated good model fit in structural equation modeling [χ2(36) = 95.56, p