2017-2020
The goal of this project is to develop a conceptual model to understand the pathways to sexual risk avoidance for prevention of teen pregnancy. The model is intended to be foundational for considering how to empower youth to avoid teen sex. The research team will consider relevant theories and explore existing conceptual models and public health messaging that prioritizes optimal health, both within the field of sexual risk avoidance and outside of it. The final product will be a conceptual model for use within the sex education field that is potentially adaptable to other youth risk behaviors.
Two primary activities will inform the conceptual model development: (1) a comprehensive and structured literature review of the theoretical foundation of sexual risk avoidance and the evidence on the effectiveness of program approaches, including public health messaging related to sexual and other risk behaviors; and (2) input from a set of experts on teen development and risk-taking behavior.
This project is being conducted under contract to Mathematica Policy Research and is overseen by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, in collaboration with other partners at the Administration for Children and Families and HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
Point(s) of contact: Tia Brown and Caryn Blitz