Pilot Study of Media Aware Sexual Health Program for High School Students

A media literacy education approach to teaching adolescents comprehensive sexual health education

Scull, T. M., Malik, C. V., & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2014). A media literacy education approach to teaching adolescents comprehensive sexual health education. The Journal of Media Literacy Education, 6(1), 1-14.

Abstract

Objectives: Examine the feasibility of a comprehensive, media literacy education program for influencing adolescents’ sexual health and media literacy outcomes.

Methods: Pre-post questionnaires filled out by high school students (n=56), between which they received the Media Aware Sexual Health program.

Results: After the program, participants were more likely to have the intention to use condoms during sex and talk to partners, parents, or medical professionals prior to sex. Media literacy outcomes included decreased perceived realism of and increased skepticism of media messages and improved media deconstruction skills.

Conclusions: The results suggest that media literacy has the potential for positively influencing sexual health decisions.