Initial Findings in a Longitudinal Study of the Effectiveness of the Sex Can Wait Sexual Abstinence Curriculum for Grades 5–8

Abstract

Initial findings of a 5-year project examining the effectiveness of a sexual abstinence education program in grades 5–8 are reported. Following implementation of the Sex Can Wait (SCW) program, differences between the SCW group and a comparison group favored SCW on knowledge, positive attitudes towards abstinence, intentions to be sexually abstinent, and comfort in talking with parents about sex. Notable features of the overall study include the use of a quasi-experimental design with a comparison group as well as 12–24 month follow-up and behavioral analyses to be reported subsequently.

Key Words:

• Abstinence
• sexuality education
• program evaluation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Molly T. Laflin

Molly T. Laflin, PhD, Professor of Health Promotion, Bowling Green State University, has extensive grant experience and was the PI on the Office of Adolescent Prevention Programs grant that funded this study. She has worked in the areas of sexuality education and prevention of drug abuse for more than 25 years. She is the author of Sexuality and the Elderly, Aging: The Health Care Challenge (lst-4th editions), as well as numerous papers on sexuality and quality of life.

Joanne M. Sommers

Joanne M. Sommers, MEd, served as Program Coordinator of the SHOP grant for all 5 years of the project. She received a BS in Community Health from Purdue in 1985 and a MEd in Cardiac Rehab and Health Fitness from the University of Toledo in 1992. She was the Health Educator for the Wood County Health Department prior to her employment at Bowling Green State University. Currently, she is a part-time instructor in Health Promotion.

Thomas R. Chibucos

Thomas R. Chibucos, PhD, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Bowling Green State University, has extensive research methodology and program evaluation experience, including teaching and consulting in both the public and private sector. He has served as a reviewer and on the editorial boards of major journals in child and family studies. His current work focuses on collaborative partnerships to serve children and families and on the relationship between government policy and child well-being. His most recent publication is a co-edited and co-written book, Readings in Family Theory (Sage, 2004).