Pilot randomized controlled trial using the theory of planned behavior to promote sexual consent of undergraduates in Greek-letter organizations

OBJECTIVE

Sexual assault is prevalent among undergraduates in Greek-letter organizations (GLO). Prevention efforts promote sexual consent, though few explicitly employ theoretical constructs known to positively influence behavior. This study evaluated theory-informed educational posters promoting sexual consent seeking.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty undergraduate GLO students (20 female, 20 male) were recruited through in-person, email, and social media solicitation. Data collection was completed March-November 2019 during the spring and fall semesters.

METHODS

A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Intervention participants viewed theory-informed educational posters promoting sexual consent.

RESULTS

The intervention group demonstrated more favorable consent intention (p = .024; η2 = 0.131) and consent subjective norms (p = .040; η2 = 0.109). Intervention group males showed a greater improvement in one of four consent attitudes (p = .045; η2 = 0.211).

CONCLUSIONS

Brief exposures to theory-informed messaging may help to improve subjective norms and behavioral intent to seek sexual consent among undergraduate GLO members.

The Art of Seduction: Male Endorsement of Coercive and Willful Sex Tactics

The body of sexual assault research historically focuses on survivors, specifically female survivors. Examining the beliefs of men who endorse sexually violent or coercive behavior fills an important gap in the literature. The current study surveyed 420 male participants on their endorsement of coercive dating tactics as provided in a best-selling men's dating book, as well as endorsement of dating tactics generated from a sexual willingness framework. Overall, approximately 25% of male participants reported using or endorsing coercive sexual tactics. Several demographic factors and experiences related to higher endorsement of the coercive tactics, including past or present involvement in a fraternity, knowing a sexual assault perpetrator, affiliating with a religion, and frequent pornography viewing. The same individual factors related to endorsing the coercive tactics were associated with endorsing the willful tactics as well. Implications for greater representation in research for sexual minorities are discussed, as well as future direction for effective consent education.

The Effectiveness of College Dating Violence Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis

Due in part to their involvement with social activities on campus, college students experience an increased risk of dating violence. Recent legislation such as the Campus SaVE Act (which requires U.S. colleges to offer training on sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment to all incoming students) has contributed to the increase in prevention programming offered across postsecondary campuses, as well as subsequent research examining the effectiveness of these prevention efforts. The current study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of college dating violence prevention programs. A systematic search of 28 databases and numerous gray literature sources identified an initial 14,540 articles of which 315 were deemed potentially eligible for inclusion. Studies were selected if they (1) evaluated a college dating prevention program/campaign, (2) reported one of five outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, or bystander efficacy, intentions, or behavior), (3) had a minimum sample size of 20 in the treatment group, (4) used a pre/post and/or comparison group design, and (5) were published in English or French between January 2000 and October 2020. We calculated 53 effect sizes from 31 studies and conducted separate meta-analyses on various categories of outcome measures. Findings suggest that college dating violence prevention programs are effective at increasing knowledge and attitudes toward dating violence, as well as bystander skills, but are not effective at increasing bystander behaviors. Findings from moderator analyses suggest that several program components influence the strength of treatment effects. Implications for improving the effectiveness of college dating violence prevention programs are discussed.