Untitled group psychosocial intervention plus group motivational enhancement therapy to prevent risky sexual behavior

Untitled group psychosocial intervention plus group motivational enhancement therapy to prevent risky sexual behavior

OVERVIEW

This intervention combines a theory-based sexual risk reduction intervention with a group-based alcohol risk reduction motivational enhancement therapy. The aim is to reduce risky sexual behavior and sexual behavior while under the influence of alcohol among criminally involved adolescents. Positive impacts were found for risky sexual behavior at the three-month follow-up and for attitudes toward condom use, perceived condom use norms, intentions to practice safer sexual behavior, and self-efficacy at post-test. Impacts were not found for sexual behavior while under the influence of alcohol at the three-month follow-up.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

Target population: Criminally involved adolescents

This program involves a single three to four-hour session conducted in same-sex groups of one to ten adolescents. Intervention leaders are the same gender as the participants and follow a scripted intervention manual. The group psychosocial intervention (GPI) component uses group activities, videos, condom use demonstrations, group discussion, and goal setting. Information is given on HIV and health services, and there is a focus on developing normative perceptions and positive attitudes toward condoms and self-efficacy. In the group motivational enhancement therapy (GMET) component of the intervention, participants are given feedback on their alcohol use behavior, based on their pre-test responses. This feedback is then used to facilitate a group discussion that focuses on changing alcohol use behavior in the context of sexual activity. It includes discussion of alcohol use and behavior and strategies for developing self-efficacy and reducing alcohol use risk.

EVALUATION OF PROGRAM

Evaluated population: 484 adolescents residing in three detention facilities in Denver, Colorado. The age range was 14 to 17 years, and the average age of participants was 16 years. The sample was 83 percent male, 37 percent white, 29 percent Hispanic, 13 percent African American, 5 percent Native American, 4 percent Asian, 2 percent other, and 13 percent biracial.

Approach: Following adolescent assent and parent/guardian consent, adolescents were scheduled for the next available intervention session. Each session was randomly assigned to one of three groups: GPI, GPI + GMET, or a control information only condition. The control condition lasted approximately two hours and involved providing participants with basic information on STDs and a question and answer session. For more information on GPI click here. Participants were assessed on attitudes toward condom use, perceived condom use norms, intention to practice safer sex, and self-efficacy at baseline and immediately following the intervention and were assessed on risky sexual behavior and sexual behavior while under the influence of alcohol at baseline and the three-month follow-up.

Results: Adolescents who received the GPI + GMET intervention had more positive attitudes toward condom use, perceived condom use norms, and intentions to practice safer sex at post-test when compared with the control information-only intervention. Adolescents who received the GPI + GMET intervention also had higher self-efficacy at post-test and engaged in less risky sexual behavior at the three-month follow-up, compared with those who received the control information-only intervention. There was no impact of the treatment on sexual behavior while under the influence of alcohol.

The GPI + GMET was also found to be more effective than GPI alone on attitudes, perceived norms, and intentions.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

References

Schmiege, S.J., Broaddus, M.R., Levin, M., & Bryan, A.D. (2009). Randomized trial of group interventions to reduce HIV/STD risk and change theoretical mediators among detailed adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 77, 38-50.

KEYWORDS: Adolescents (12-17), Juvenile Offenders, High-Risk, Alcohol Use, Sexual Activity, Condom Use and Contraception

Program information last updated on 12/27/10.

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