Sexual assertiveness skills and sexual decision-making in adolescent girls: Randomized controlled trial of an online program

L. Widman, C.E. Golin, K. Kamke, J.L. Burnette and M.J. Prinstein

American Journal of Public Health, 2018, vol. 108, issue 1, 96-102

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of an interactive, Web-based sexual health program (Health Education and Relationship Training [HEART]) for developing sexual assertiveness skills and enhancing sexual decision-making in adolescent girls. Methods: Participants were 222 tenth-grade girls (mean age=15.2; 38% White, 29% Hispanic, 25% Black)inthe Southeastern United States who were randomizedinfall 2015 to the HEART intervention or an attention-matched control. We assessed participants at pretest, immediate posttest, and 4-month follow-up. Results: Both groups had similar demographic and sexual behavior characteristics at pretest. At immediate posttest, girls who completed the HEART program demonstrated better sexual assertiveness skills measured with a behavioral task, higher self-reported assertiveness, intentions to communicate about sexual health, knowledge regarding HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), safer sex norms and attitudes, and condom self-efficacy compared with the control condition. At 4-month follow-up, group differences remained in knowledge regarding HIV and other STDs, condom attitudes, and condom self-efficacy. Conclusions: This brief online sexual health program can improve short-term outcomes among adolescent girls and offers an exciting new option in the growing array of digital health interventions available to youths.

Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.304106_0

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.304106

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