Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

ConclusionsAttitudes play an important role in many cognitivebehavioral theories that posit that attitudes affectbehavior and that changing attitudes will lead tobehavior change. These theories are supported bymultiple studies that have demonstrated that attitudes,values and beliefs about having sex or usingcondoms or other contraceptives are related toactually having sex or using condoms or contraception.In addition, multiple studies have found thatprograms can change attitudes about sex and usingcondoms or contraception.To change attitudes and values, program developersshould identify exactly which attitudes, valuesand beliefs are most important to address for theirpopulation. Then, instructional activities shouldincrease the extent to which teens critically assessand integrate new information. They should striveto increase teens’ ability and motivation to thoughtfullyassess the attitudes and behaviors. Instructionalactivities should present strong relevant argumentsand include interactive activities. They also shouldstrive to generate positive thoughts about protectivebehaviors and negative thoughts about risk behaviors.If possible, activities should be delivered bypeople whom the teens like, respect and with whomthey are connected.When instructional activities improve perceptionsof peer norms about sex or contraceptive use andincrease self-efficacy to avoid undesired sex or touse condoms/contraception, they also can improveattitudes. Improving perceptions of peer normsand self-efficacy are discussed in Chapters 6 and 9respectively.66 Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical Guide for Developing and Adapting Curriculum-Based Programs