Distant Group Counseling and Sexual Myths and Attitudes in Young Adults

NCT06763016 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: EgeTrial5
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 55
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the impact of distant group counseling through an online platform on sexual myths and sexual attitudes among young adults. The research design and methodology were carefully planned following the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys online research guide, ensuring that the study adhered to robust research protocols. The CONSORT model was applied, including its flowchart, to enhance the transparency of the study and ensure the reproducibility of the research. The hypotheses formulated for this randomized controlled trial are as follows:

1. 1.There is a significant difference in the Sexual Myths Scale (SMS) pretest-posttest-follow-up scores in the intervention group.
2. 2.There is a significant difference in the Hendrick Sexual Attitudes Scale (HSAS) pretest-posttest-follow-up scores in the intervention group.
3. 3.There is a significant difference in the SMS pretest-posttest-follow-up scores, favoring the intervention group.
4. 4.There is a significant difference in the HSAS pretest-posttest-follow-up scores, favoring the intervention group.

Conditions

Sexual Risk Behavior; Sexuality

Keywords

sexual myth; sexual attitude; sexual health; counseling; telemedicine; group therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Sexual Myths Scale (first evaluation with posttest)

  The scale developed by Gölbaşı et al. (2016) consists of 28 items and has 8 sub-dimensions: sexual orientation (items 1-5), gender (items 6-11), age and gender (items 12-15), sexual behavior (items 16-18), masturbation (items 19-20), sexual violence (items 21-24), sexual intercourse (items 25-26) and sexual satisfaction (items 27-28). Participants mark each item on a five-point Likert-type scale. Scale score is obtained by summing the scores given to each item in the scale. The highest score that can be obtained from the scale is 140 and the lowest score is 28. The items belonging to the sub-dimensions are summed and the score for each sub-dimension is determined. The scale does not have a cut-off point, and a high score indicates that the sexual myths are also high.

  Through intervention completion, an average of 2 month

• Sexual Myths Scale (second evaluation with follow up)

  The scale developed by Gölbaşı et al. (2016) consists of 28 items and has 8 sub-dimensions: sexual orientation (items 1-5), gender (items 6-11), age and gender (items 12-15), sexual behavior (items 16-18), masturbation (items 19-20), sexual violence (items 21-24), sexual intercourse (items 25-26) and sexual satisfaction (items 27-28). Participants mark each item on a five-point Likert-type scale. Scale score is obtained by summing the scores given to each item in the scale. The highest score that can be obtained from the scale is 140 and the lowest score is 28. The items belonging to the sub-dimensions are summed and the score for each sub-dimension is determined. The scale does not have a cut-off point, and a high score indicates that the sexual myths are also high.

  Through intervention completion, an average of 5 month

• Hendrick Sexual Attitudes Scale (first evaluation with posttest)

  The Turkish validity and reliability study of this scale, which was developed by Hendrick et al. (2006) to determine sexual attitudes, was conducted by Karaçam et al. The scale consists of four sub-dimensions and includes a total of 23 items. Each item is evaluated between 1-5 points. The questions in the birth control and sharing sub-dimension of the scale are reverse scored and the total score of the scale is not considered appropriate for evaluation. The sub-dimensions of the scale are named as affirmation (items 1-10), birth control (items 11-13), sharing (items 14-18) and instrument (items 19-23). Among these, affirmation refers to indiscriminate sexuality; birth control refers to responsible and tolerant sexuality; sharing refers to idealistic sexuality; and means refers to biological and utilitarian sexuality. High scores obtained from the affirmative and instrumental sub-dimensions of the scale indicate that the individual has an ideal, healthy and balanced sexual attitude.

  Through intervention completion, an average of 2 months

• Hendrick Sexual Attitudes Scale (second evaluation with follow up)

  The Turkish validity and reliability study of this scale, which was developed by Hendrick et al. (2006) to determine sexual attitudes, was conducted by Karaçam et al. The scale consists of four sub-dimensions and includes a total of 23 items. Each item is evaluated between 1-5 points. The questions in the birth control and sharing sub-dimension of the scale are reverse scored and the total score of the scale is not considered appropriate for evaluation. The sub-dimensions of the scale are named as affirmation (items 1-10), birth control (items 11-13), sharing (items 14-18) and instrument (items 19-23). Among these, affirmation refers to indiscriminate sexuality; birth control refers to responsible and tolerant sexuality; sharing refers to idealistic sexuality; and means refers to biological and utilitarian sexuality. High scores obtained from the affirmative and instrumental sub-dimensions of the scale indicate that the individual has an ideal, healthy and balanced sexual attitude.

  Through intervention completion, an average of 5 months

Study Arms (2)

Distant group therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Distant group therapy: The intervention consisted of a six-week online group sexual counseling program. Each week, participants in the intervention group attended one 60-minute cognitive-behavioral-based tele-group session through Microsoft Teams, which was supplemented with educational content shared via Instagram.

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioural Theory-based group consultation

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Any intervention applied. Following the completion of the research, the need for psychosocial support among the control group participants was assessed, and it was found that none of them in the control group required such support.

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioural Theory-based group consultation BEHAVIORAL

The sessions focused on various topics, such as sexuality, sexual health, gender roles, and sexual violence. Participants were encouraged to engage in group discussions and complete weekly tasks, which allowed them to interact and reflect on the material presented. The intervention aimed to address and challenge prevalent sexual myths, encourage open discussions about sexuality, and foster healthier sexual attitudes through evidence-based counseling. The content of the digital interventions was structured on the basis of a semi-structured interactive group counseling. It was supported by sharing content on Instagram, one of the most widely used social media tools of the generation representing. For three days a week over six weeks, informative posts were shared, asynchronous testing and self-discovery activities were carried out, and a synchronous consultation session was held once a week. The participants were connected to the live broadcast of the research team.

Also known as: distant consultation, group consultation, cognitive-behavioral therapy

Distant group therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 29 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• In order to be eligible for participation, individuals had to meet the following criteria: be between 18-29 years of age (This period is defined as 'emerging adulthood' (Arnett, 2000), volunteer for the study, possess the necessary technological resources, and not having received any previous training on sexual health education during data collection.

You may not qualify if:

• Have a physical or sensory impairment that would affect the ability to use online technology (e.g., history of temporal brain damage, limb loss, hearing loss, etc.), Have a psychiatric diagnosis that would affect decision-making and orientation assessment abilities, Be receiving any professional support that could potentially influence their sexual myths and attitudes when data collection process.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ege University

Izmir, 35100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sexuality

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sexual Behavior; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ph.D., Research Assistant

Model Details: The study is a single-blind, randomized, factorial experimental type follow-up clinical trial with a control group. The research design and methodology were carefully planned following the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) online research guide, ensuring that the study adhered to robust research protocols. The CONSORT model was applied, including its flowchart, to enhance the transparency of the study and ensure the reproducibility of the research. The study followed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, and participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 2, 2025
• First Posted: January 8, 2025
• Study Start: June 10, 2022
• Primary Completion: November 10, 2022
• Study Completion: February 10, 2023
• Last Updated: January 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Beginning 1 year after publication with no end date

Locations

TU (1)