Improving interpersonal communication skills regarding condom use among first year college women: Assessment of a pilot intervention
Stephens, Yvonne Day
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/21772
Description
Title
Improving interpersonal communication skills regarding condom use among first year college women: Assessment of a pilot intervention
Author(s)
Stephens, Yvonne Day
Issue Date
1995
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Reis, Janet M.
Department of Study
Kinesiology and Community Health
Discipline
Community Health
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Psychology, Social
Health Sciences, Public Health
Education, Health
Language
eng
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to design a pilot intervention, incorporating results from elicitation research (one-on-one interviews), and based on tenets of Social Cognitive Theory, and to evaluate the effects of this intervention on improving interpersonal communication skills regarding condom use among first year college women.
Data were obtained from a sample of 26 college freshmen women who participated in the intervention, and a comparison group of 27 first year college women. Measures were taken at pretest, posttest, and follow-up two months after participating in the intervention. Quantitative data were obtained by questionnaire and included demographic information, sexual behavior, condom use and condom communication behavior. Dependent measures were perceived risk for STD infection, attitudes toward condoms, perceived self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and intentions regarding condom discussion and use with partners. Qualitative data concerning the effectiveness and usefulness of the workshop were obtained from participants through open-ended survey questions and verbal comments taped during workshop sessions.
Results of the Repeated-Measures MANOVAs revealed that compared to women in the comparison group, women who participated in the intervention reported a significant mean score change (p $\le$.05) in attitudes toward condom use, perceived self-efficacy, and intentions to discuss and use condoms with partners in the future. Chi-square analyses revealed a significant difference (p $\le$.05) at follow-up between the percentage of women in the treatment group (84%) and comparison group (45%), who reported talking to their partners about condoms during the past two months.
The qualitative analysis revealed that first year college women felt more comfortable and confident in discussing condom use as a result of their participation in the intervention. Women also provided suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of the sexual communication workshop.
The results of this study indicate that a skill-building workshop, targeting condom communication and condom mechanics, can increase first year college women's comfort level and confidence in discussing and using condoms with their partners. The findings also underscore the importance of incorporating a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods in the development and evaluation of interventions designed to improve interpersonal communication regarding condom use in college students.
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