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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a digital program called PACT (Promoting Assertive Communication among Teens) to help non-heterosexual teen boys learn about sexual consent and how to discuss condom use. The goal is to determine if this program is effective, liked, and easy to use. Participants will join a study comparing this program with another called Healthy Minds, which focuses on mental health and growth mindsets. The trial seeks boys aged 14-17 in the U.S. who identify as queer or a sexual minority. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to developing innovative educational tools for their community.

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 prior data suggests that this digital program is safe for adolescent sexual minority males?

Research has shown that digital programs like PACT, which assist with sexual assertiveness, are generally safe. Studies have not identified any safety issues with these programs, indicating that users handle them well. The PACT program specifically teaches skills related to sexual consent and discussing condom use. It aims to be both engaging and informative, with no negative effects reported in past research. Overall, PACT appears to be a safe choice for those considering joining the trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Promoting Assertive Communication among Teens (PACT) program because it's a fresh approach to reducing unprotected sex among adolescent sexual minority males. Unlike traditional sexual education programs, PACT is a digital intervention specifically tailored to teach assertiveness in two critical areas: consent and condom negotiation. This targeted focus aims to empower teens with the skills they need to communicate effectively and make safer choices. The digital format also means it can be widely accessible and easily integrated into the lives of tech-savvy teens, potentially reaching a broader audience than conventional methods.

What evidence suggests that the PACT program is effective for teaching sexual assertiveness?

Research shows that programs teaching sexual assertiveness skills can help young people make better sexual decisions. Assertive communication involves clearly expressing wants and needs. Studies have found that this skill links to higher condom use among youth. When teens learn to confidently discuss consent and condom use, they are more likely to engage in safe sex. In this trial, participants in the Promoting Assertive Communication among Teens (PACT) arm, a digital program for non-heterosexual adolescent boys, will focus on learning these skills to improve sexual health. By acquiring these skills, participants might feel more empowered to discuss and practice safer sex. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

Lives in the U.S.

I am between 14 and 17 years old.

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4478194/

Assertive communication in condom negotiation The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective ratings of assertiveness among young, romantically-involved couples in the context of a condom ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-condomless-sex-9-2025-bd180

Digital Sexual Assertiveness Intervention for Unprotected Sex Research shows that programs teaching sexual assertiveness skills, like the HEART program, help young people make better sexual decisions. Additionally, ...

3. jahonline.org jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(15)00089-0/fulltext

Assertive Communication in Condom Negotiation Assertive communication has been associated with higher levels of condom use among youth using self-report survey methodology. The purpose of this study was ...

4. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/evaluating-a-digital-sexual-assertiveness-intervention-for-asmm

Evaluating a Digital Sexual Assertiveness Intervention for ASMM The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness, likability, and implementation potential of PACT, an adapted digital program to ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5154169/

Do As I Say: Using Communication Role-Plays to Assess ... The present study examines whether an alcohol-related sexual risk reduction intervention successfully trains women to increase assertive communication ...

6. trial.medpath.com trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/bb17388ce37c5e04/nct06878755-digital-sexual-assertiveness-intervention

Evaluating a Digital Sexual Assertiveness Intervention for ASMM The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness, likability, and implementation potential of PACT, an adapted digital program to teach ...

7. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/Pn70ddal9kSq_-5ZQxK_CQ/project-details/10934347

javidi, hannah Assertive sexual communication is associated with higher rates of condom use among adolescents; however, ASMM do not receive adequate information or skills ...