Kelly, JA, St. Lawrence, J.S., Hood, H.V., & Brasfield, T.L. (1989) Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57 (1), 60 - 67
Description of Intervention: Behavioral Self-management and Assertion Skills
The intervention consisted of 12 weekly group sessions, each about 75 to 90 minutes. Groups were led by 2 clinical psychologists and 2 project assistants.
Sessions 1-2: AIDS risk reduction. This component included information about AIDS, HIV infection, and HIV-transmission methods.
Sessions 3-5: Behavioral self-management. Participants examined past high-risk sexual activity and identified mood, setting, substance use, and other factors associated with the risk taking. Leaders presented strategies to reduce risk.
Sessions 6-8: Assertion skills training. Three scenarios were used: (a) initiating discussion about one's commitment to low-risk behavior with a potential sex partner; (b) refusing pressures to engage in high-risk behavior; and (c) declining an immediate sexual proposition from a person one wanted to get to know socially.
Sessions 9-11: Relationship skills and social support development. This component addressed strategies for problem solving in relationships and for maintaining low-risk sexual practices, even in committed relationships.
Session 12: Risk-reduction review and identification of useful strategies. This session allowed each participant to address the changes he had made and the strategies he had used.
The intervention used group process, lecture, and role-playing methods to deliver information and develop skills. |
Intervention Goal(s): To determine the effects of a small group intervention to reduce the frequency of high-risk sexual practices and increase behavioral skills for refusing sexual coercions.
Intervention Setting: An office space associated with a medical center.§
Population: Of the 104 gay men who participated in the study, 13% were African American or Hispanic and 87% were white. The average age of the participants was 31 years; 45% had completed college.
Comparison Condition: The intervention was given to comparison participants at a later time
Behavioral Findings: Gay men who participated in the intervention reduced their frequency of unprotected anal intercourse and increased their use of condoms significantly more than the men in the comparison condition.
Contact:
Jeffrey A. Kelly, PhD
Medical College of Wisconsin
2071 North Summit Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414 456 7700
Fax: 414 287 4209
E-mail: jsherman@post.its.mcw.edu
§Information obtained from related reports or author.
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This study meets CDC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis project criteria for relevance and methodological rigor and also has the positive and significant behavioral/health findings required for the Compendium. Date added 1/99
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