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Preliminary Findings from a Brief, Peer-Led Safer Sex Intervention for College Students Living in Residence Halls

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a single-session peer-led safer sex intervention, based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills theoretical model, for college students residing in campus residence halls. Participants (N = 108) were assigned to either an hour long control or 5-module intervention session. Compared to the control condition, the intervention increased participants’ information and women’s subjective norms about preventative behavior. Both the control and intervention sessions increased intentions to perform preventative behaviors (e.g., keep condoms available). These preliminary results suggest that this intervention is promising for increasing constructs associated with safer sexual behavior and could easily be implemented by residence hall staff.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Health Educators Deb Morris, R. N., M. A. and Gwen Sieving, M. S., as well as the Creating Respect, Educating Wellness (CREWS) campus peer group for assistance in developing the intervention. The authors also would like to thank Robert Peters for assistance with video production, as well as Brittany Hunter, James Wolford, Lauren Millard, and Amy Rogers, who served as peer-leaders for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Megan A. O’Grady, Kristina Wilson & Jennifer J. Harman

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  1. Megan A. O’Grady
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  2. Kristina Wilson
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  3. Jennifer J. Harman
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Correspondence to Megan A. O’Grady.

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O’Grady, M.A., Wilson, K. & Harman, J.J. Preliminary Findings from a Brief, Peer-Led Safer Sex Intervention for College Students Living in Residence Halls. J Primary Prevent 30, 716–731 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-009-0195-7

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