Digital Sexual Assertiveness Intervention for Unprotected Sex

Overseen By Hannah Javidi, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Indiana University

Disqualifiers: Age, Location, Identity, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

300 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Promoting Assertive Communication among Teens (PACT) for reducing unprotected sex?

Research shows that programs teaching sexual assertiveness skills, like the HEART program, help young people make better sexual decisions. Additionally, assertive communication training has been effective in increasing safe sex practices, such as condom use, among young people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Digital Sexual Assertiveness Intervention safe for humans?

The studies reviewed did not report any safety concerns related to the digital sexual assertiveness interventions, suggesting they are generally safe for participants. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How is the PACT treatment different from other treatments for unprotected sex?

The PACT treatment is unique because it focuses on promoting assertive communication among teens through a digital intervention, which is designed to enhance sexual assertiveness and decision-making skills. Unlike traditional methods, this approach uses an interactive, web-based platform to engage adolescents in sexual health education, making it accessible and appealing to a broad audience. ^{1 3 4 6 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness, likability, and implementation potential of PACT, an adapted digital program to teach non-heterosexual adolescent boys about sexual consent and condom negotiation in a randomized controlled trial over 9 months.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for non-heterosexual adolescent boys who are interested in learning about sexual consent and condom negotiation. Specific eligibility criteria have not been provided, so it's best to contact the study organizers for more details.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 14 and 17 years old.

Lives in the U.S.

I identify as a queer or sexual minority male teenager.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 14 years old.

Does not live in the U.S.

I am older than 17.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in a 30-minute digital program designed to teach sexual assertiveness, focusing on consent and condom negotiation

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in sexual assertiveness, consent, and condom negotiation at multiple time points

9 months

3 visits (virtual) at 3-month intervals

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Promoting Assertive Communication among Teens (PACT)

Trial Overview The trial is testing PACT, a digital program designed to teach sexual assertiveness. Participants will be randomly assigned to use this program and their experiences will be compared over a period of 9 months.

Participant Groups

Group I: Promoting Assertive Communication among Teens (PACT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A 30-minute digital program designed to teach adolescent sexual minority males information and skills regarding two dimensions of sexual assertiveness: consent and condom negotiation.

Group II: Healthy Minds Active Control 1 Intervention

An attention-matched digital program focused on growth mindsets and mental health, designed for a general population of adolescents.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Indiana University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,063

Recruited

1,182,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sexual Assertiveness Skills and Sexual Decision-Making in Adolescent Girls: Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Program. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prevalence and predictors of low sexual assertiveness [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do As I Say: Using Communication Role-Plays to Assess Sexual Assertiveness Following an Intervention. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assertive Communication in Condom Negotiation: Insights From Late Adolescent Couples' Subjective Ratings of Self and Partner. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS) for women: development and validation. [2019]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and acceptability of a web-based HIV/STD prevention program for adolescent girls targeting sexual communication skills. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is lack of sexual assertiveness among adolescent and young adult women a cause for concern? [2015]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing sexual victimization among adolescent girls: a randomized controlled pilot trial of my voice, my choice. [2018]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Development of the Sexual Assertiveness Questionnaire (SAQ): A Comprehensive Measure of Sexual Assertiveness for Women. [2018]