Metzler, C. W., Biglan, A., Noell, J., Ary, D. V., & Ochs, L. (2000). A randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention to reduce high-risk sexual behavior among adolescents in STD clinics. Behavior Therapy, 31, 27-54.
A five-session behavioral intervention to reduce risky sexual behavior was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial, in which 339 adolescents, ages 15 to 19 years, were recruited in public sexually transmitted disease clinics and randomly assigned to receive the intervention or usual care. The intervention targeted (a) decision-making about safer sex goals, (b) social skills for achieving safer sex, and (c) acceptance of negative thoughts and feelings. Compared to the control group at 6-months follow-up, treatment participants reported fewer sexual partners, fewer non-monogamous partners, and fewer sexual contacts with strangers in the past 3 months, and less use of marijuana before or during sex. Treated adolescents also performed better on a taped situations test of skill in handling difficult sexual situations. Strongest intervention effects were for male and non-minority youth. Further research is needed to develop interventions with strong, durable effects across gender and ethnic groups that can be delivered cost-effectively within existing service systems.