Motivational interviewing to reduce risky sexual behaviors among at-risk male youth: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Abstract

Background: Despite male youth taking more sexual risks that lead to unwanted partner pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), research evaluating interventions for risky sex has focused almost exclusively on adolescent and adult females. With STIs among male youth on the rise, behavioral interventions that target risky sex among male youth are needed. Purpose: A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility and acceptability of two manualized behavioral interventions for sexually active male youth. Methods: Sexually active at-risk male youth (N = 27) were recruited and randomized to receive one session of motivational interviewing (MI) or didactic educational counseling (DEC). Assessment interviews were conducted prior to and 3 months following the intervention session. Results: Support for the feasibility and acceptability of delivering behavioral interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviors among at-risk male youth was found. Compared to participants in DEC at follow-up, participants in MI reported having significantly fewer sexual encounters with casual partners, used substances at the time of sex significantly less often with all partners and casual partners, and reported fewer incidents of using substances at the time of sex without a condom with all partners. Conversely, participants who received MI used substances at the time of sex with main partners and used substances at the time of sex without a condom more often with main partners at follow-up compared to participants who received DEC. Conclusions: Results of the pilot study support conducting a larger randomized controlled trial to examine treatment effects.

Patterns of Sexual Risk Behaviors and Sexuality-Related Risk Factors among Young Adults in Germany: Implications for Prevention and Therapy

“…Interventions that aim to reduce sex-related shame can also reduce SRB, i.e., unsafe sex (Christensen et al, 2013 ). In particular, some studies indicate an respective effectiveness of motivational interviewing (Bassett et al, 2022 ; Flickinger et al, 2013 ) and skills training (Calsyn et al, 2009 ). However, previous research on SRB, as well as the results of this study emphasize that safer sex is not the only subtype of SRB which should be considered in prevention and treatment and a more complex understanding of SRB is necessary to provide adequate care for help-seekers.…”

Motivational interviewing for family planning and reducing risky sexual behavior among incarcerated men nearing release: A randomized controlled pilot study.

“…The intervention was modified from work involving boys found in high-risk settings, including incarceration (Bassett et al, 2021). It was adapted specifically for incarcerated men to address their particular family planning needs (see Laird et al, 2020).…”

“…Similarly, Rosengard et al (2008) found that an MI intervention that targeted substance use also increased condom use as compared to control group among incarcerated adolescents. Although none of these studies targeted unplanned pregnancy involving men, Bassett et al (2021) conducted a pilot study that addressed unplanned pregnancy and STI reduction among at risk and juvenile justice (e.g., on probation or recently incarcerated) involved youth. Promising results, such as decreased casual sex, were found for MI.…”