Evaluation of Practice Self-Regulation

The Policy & Research Group (PRG) will be evaluating the Practice Self-Regulation (PSR) program. This intervention is designed to address gaps in the existing evidence, reduce disparities in teen pregnancy and associated sexual and reproductive health outcomes, and serve high-need populations. The intervention is composed of ten structured, individual therapy sessions intended to promote optimal sexual decision making. By increasing knowledge of sexual health and the impact of trauma on sexual decision-making, youth are encouraged and supported in practicing self-regulation. The primary focus of the study will be to investigate the impact of the intervention on participants' self-reported sexual behaviors (times having sex with no condom and number of sexual partners). In addition, the study will include exploratory investigations of the following theoretically relevant antecedents to behavior and pathways to behavior change: (1) perception of risk and severity for pregnancy and HIV/STIs; (2) intention to have sex; (3) importance of having sex; (4) intention to use effective contraceptive methods (including condoms); (5) affect regulation self-efficacy; (6) importance of using effective contraceptive methods; (7) intention to limit number of sexual partners; (8) importance to limiting the number of sexual partners; (9) intention to practice affect regulation; (10) self-esteem; (11) importance of using affect regulation; (12) intention to practice sexual self-regulation; (13) importance of practicing sexual self-regulation; (14) contraceptive use and negotiation (including condoms) self-efficacy; (15) sexual activity decision making and planning self-efficacy; (16) beliefs regarding the malleability of emotions; (17) beliefs regarding value of affect regulation; (18) use of effect regulation; and (19) distress . The control (counterfactual) condition, Therapy Practice Group, consists of therapy as usual without the incorporation of elements vital to the PSR intervention. All eligible individuals who provide the proper consent to participate are randomized and enrolled into the study at the time they attend their first scheduled study session. Outcomes will be assessed using self-reported, participant-level data gathered (by way of a questionnaire) at three time points: baseline (enrollment); post-program (immediately after the end of the intervention period, which is 18 weeks after baseline); and 9-month follow-up (9 months following the end of the intervention period, which is 13 months after baseline). The study is taking place in California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Michigan, and Maine. Recruitment of study participants and delivery of the intervention is conducted by trained private practitioners and therapists working at participating agencies who are serving youth between the ages of 14 and 19 and are receiving outpatient mental health services.

Inclusion criteria

• Between the ages of 14-19
• Provide parental consent (if under age 18) and participant assent to participate in the study
• Deemed appropriate for the study by the agency staff
• Receiving individual outpatient counseling services at one of the study's implementation sites

Exclusion criteria

• Previous participation in the study
• Previous use of the Trauma Outcome Process (TOP) workbook in therapy
• Self-report of previous participation in other TPP-funded programs
• Self-report of roommate who participated in the study