Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

Table2-2Learning Objectives to Reduce Sexual Activity (Continued)Specific BehaviorsStudents will beable to:Knowledge andPerceptions of RiskStudents will beable to:Attitudes, Valuesand BeliefsStudents will beable to:Perceptions ofPeer NormsStudents will beable to:Skills andSelf-efficacyStudents will beable to:IntentionsStudents will beable to:Avoid situationswhere they couldhave sex.• Detect signs that let them knowit may be hard to refuse/handlesexual pressures (feeling out ofcontrol, lack of adult supervision;feeling pressured to do somethingthat does not feel right).• Develop strategies for handlingsigns that may make it difficult torefuse sexual pressures.• Demonstrate howto avoid thesesituations (e.g.,physically avoidssituation; userefusal/negotiationskills).Refuse to have sex. • Compose a list of signs and situationsthat may make it difficult torefuse sexual pressures.• Demonstrate characteristics ofclear refusal skills (e.g., clear no,delay tactics, alternative actions).• Value the importanceof not having sexor having sex onlyin a LTMMCR. Holdthe belief that usingappropriate refusalskills will lead to successfullyabstainingwithout jeopardizinginterpersonalrelationships.• Hold the belief thatusing refusal skillswill reduce the risk ofgetting HIV, STD orbecoming pregnant.• Internalize the beliefthat most young peopletheir age do not havesex or only have sexwithin a LTMMCR.• Believe that their closefriends approve andrespect their decisionto not have sex or tohave sex only within aLTMMCR.• Demonstratethe ability to usedifferent refusalskills in multiplesituations.• Appraise therange of refusalstrategies andidentify thosemost comfortableand relevant fortheir use.• Use refusal skillsin a variety ofsituations with ahigh degree ofconfidence.• Form intentionsto refuse sex.* Tables 2-2 to 2-6 are based largely on matrices of learning objectives developed by Chris Markham, Susan Tortolero, Melissa F. Peskin and Ross Shegog for It’s Your Game: Keep ItReal. An HIV/STI and Pregnancy Prevention Curriculum for Middle School Youth. Copyright, 2006. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.Parent-ChildCommunicationStudents will beable to:• Identify adults who willsupport their use ofrefusal strategies to nothave sex or to have sexonly within a LTMMCR.• Talk about differentapproaches to refusingsexual pressures withparents or other adults.• Believe that most parentsfeel it’s important topractice refusal strategiesto not have sex.24 Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical Guide for Developing and Adapting Curriculum-Based Programs