Assessing the Need and Receptivity for an Integrated Healthy Sexual and Dating Relationships Intervention for Community College Students

The authors present findings from formative research to assess the need and receptivity for a Web-based, integrated healthy sexual and dating relationships intervention among community college students in South Central Texas. Texas ranks third highest among U.S. states in its overall teen birth rate; 69% of those births are among females 18 to 19 years of age. Texas also ranks No. 1 among U.S. states in its repeat teen pregnancy rate, reflecting the need for effective pregnancy and dating violence prevention among young adults. The goals of this study were the following: (1) examine patterns of sexual behaviors, dating violence, and related psychosocial factors among students attending community colleges in South Central Texas; (2) examine differences in patterns of specific types of dating violence perpetration and victimization by gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity; (3) examine associations between psychosocial factors and dating violence perpetration and victimization; and (4) assess the usability and short-term psychosocial outcomes of activities from a Web-based healthy sexual and dating relationships intervention. Collectively, these findings will inform the development of an integrated Web-based healthy sexual and dating relationship intervention that is acceptable and engaging, and potentially scalable for use in community college settings.