A Group Randomized Controlled Trial of Relationships Under Construction Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

Bibliographic Data

ID21354176
AuthorsOlivia Ashley (0009-0008-1301-8222, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Louisville Center 401 W. Main St., Suite 2100 Louisville KY 40202, corresponding author), Stephen R Shamblen (0000-0002-4125-8855, Olivia Ashley Research and Evaluation Services, LLC 6704 Colony Court Raleigh NC 27612), Andrew Gluck (Social Capital Valuations, LLC 11675 Bennington Woods Rd. Reston VA 20194), Catherine Wood (Relationships Under Construction, Ohio Adolescent Health Centers Project 8870 Commerce Loop Dr. Columbus OH 43240)
Year2024
Volume94
Issue8
Pages736-743
Publication date2024-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4391 • E-ISSN: 1746-1561
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josh.13441
PMID38383844
OpenAlexW4392775108
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited28

BACKGROUND: We analyzed data from a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Relationships Under Construction (RUC) sexual risk avoidance education program promoting positive youth development and healthy relationships. METHODS: Twelve schools in the Midwestern region of the United States randomized to the intervention implemented RUC in health or science classes, while control schools collected study measures and implemented the standard curriculum. RESULTS: Post-randomization analyses revealed significant differences in grade, race/ethnicity, and prior relationship education at baseline between intervention and control students. Subsequent analyses controlled for these differences. We distributed parental notification letters to 641 students, and no parents requested that their adolescent opt out of data collection. We obtained assent and baseline computer-assisted survey interviews or paper-and-pencil instrument forms from 100% of these students. Findings suggest that RUC significantly reduced sexual activity (odds ratio = 0.56, p = .046) at 3-month follow-up, compared to those in the control group. RUC also reduced pornography viewing and improved attitudes about delayed gratification, beliefs, decision making, and negative outcome expectations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that RUC improves sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among this population of adolescents. Additional research is needed to assess RUC impacts among diverse populations.

Curriculum · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Odds ratio · Pedagogy · Population · Randomized controlled trial · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual function and dysfunction studies · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

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Open DOIOpen Access