Do As I Say: Efficacy of an Intervention to Promote Sexual Assertiveness

• In Event: Sex Communication and Health

Abstract

Sexual risk reduction interventions are often ineffective for women who drink alcohol. The present study examines whether an alcohol-related sexual risk reduction intervention successfully trains women to increase assertive communication behaviors and simultaneously decrease aggressive communication behaviors. Women demonstrated their communication skills during interactive role plays. Young African American women (N = 238) reporting unprotected vaginal or anal sex and greater than 3 alcoholic drinks in the past 90 days were assigned to a control, a sexual risk reduction, or a sexual risk reduction + alcohol risk reduction (NLITEN) condition. NLITEN women significantly increased their assertive communication compared to control women yet use of aggressive communicative behaviors was unchanged. These data suggest assertive communication skills training is efficacious as part of a sexual risk reduction intervention that also includes an alcohol risk reduction session.

Authors

• Laura Min Mercer Kollar, U of Georgia

• Teaniese P. Davis, Morehouse U

• Jennifer L. Monahan, U of Georgia

• Jennifer A. Samp, U of Georgia

• Valerie Berenice Coles, U of Georgia

• Erin L. P. Bradley, Spelman College

• Jessica McDermott Sales, Emory U

• Eve Rose, Emory U

• Ralph J. DiClemente, Emory U