Sexual & Relationship Health News Post Archives

Meta-Analysis Uncovers Predictors of Condom Use in Adolescents

Elizabeth Porter2025-02-13T15:04:33+00:00

February 13, 2025, Durham, NC – Condoms are the only prevention method that are effective at both preventing the transmission of STIs and preventing unintended pregnancy. In addition, condoms tend to be more cost-effective and accessible for adolescents than other forms of contraception. Despite the benefits and accessibility of condoms, only 52% of sexually active adolescents in the U.S. report using a condom the last time they had sex. To effectively promote condom use among adolescents, it is important to understand what factors may make adolescents more likely to use condoms. A recent meta-analysis of the adolescent sexual health literature sought [...]

Meta-Analysis Uncovers Predictors of Condom Use in AdolescentsElizabeth Porter2025-02-13T15:04:33+00:00

Journal of Health Communication Publishes the Impacts of Media Aware on Young Adults’ Sexual Health Cognitions

Elizabeth Porter2025-01-16T16:08:22+00:00

January 16, 2025, Durham, NC – The Journal of Health Communication recently published an article detailing findings from an evaluation of iRT’s media literacy education-based sexual health promotion program called Media Aware. The article, entitled “A Media Literacy Education Approach to Sexual Health Promotion: Immediate Effects of Media Aware on the Sexual Health Cognitions of Young Adult Community College Students,” was authored by iRT Researchers Dr. Tracy Scull, Dr. Christina Dodson, Dr. Janis Kupersmidt, Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson, Dr. Katie Stump, and Liz Reeder. Media Aware is an interactive, web-based program that provides young adults with comprehensive, medically-accurate information about sex and [...]

Journal of Health Communication Publishes the Impacts of Media Aware on Young Adults’ Sexual Health CognitionsElizabeth Porter2025-01-16T16:08:22+00:00

New Chapter in Handbook of Children and Screens Discusses How Gender and Sexuality Are Represented in Media for Young People

Elizabeth Porter2024-12-18T18:00:14+00:00

December 18, 2024, Durham, NC – iRT Research Scientist Dr. Tracy Scull co-authored a chapter in the recently released Handbook of Children and Screens entitled “Representations of Gender and Sexuality in Youth Media.” Dr. Scull co-authored the chapter with colleagues from research institutions from across the world, including Drs. Jennifer Stevens Aubrey, Megan K. Maas, Sophia Choukas-Bradley, Meenakshi Gigi Durham, Johanna M. F. van Oosten, and L. Monique Ward. About the Chapter Children start developing strong concepts of gender identity and gender roles early in life, and they often explore ideas related to sexuality and sexual roles during adolescence. During these developmental stages, young people usually look to many sources [...]

New Chapter in Handbook of Children and Screens Discusses How Gender and Sexuality Are Represented in Media for Young PeopleElizabeth Porter2024-12-18T18:00:14+00:00

The Journal of American College Health Publishes More Research from the Community College Health Study

Elizabeth Porter2024-12-16T15:05:30+00:00

December 16, 2024, Durham, NC – The Journal of American College Health recently published an article featuring findings from iRT’s research related to sexual and relationship health resources for young adults. The article, entitled “Examining resources to promote sexual health and address sexual violence at community colleges across the United States: a qualitative study,” was authored by iRT Research Scientists Drs. Christina Dodson, Reina Evans-Paulson, and Tracy Scull. Over the past few years, iRT has been conducting the Community College Health Study to better understand how to promote students’ sexual and relationship health and prevent sexual assault. As part of the [...]

The Journal of American College Health Publishes More Research from the Community College Health StudyElizabeth Porter2024-12-16T15:05:30+00:00

iRT Receives Funding to Continue Researching the Sexual Health of Community College Students

Elizabeth Porter2024-11-25T15:21:50+00:00

November 25, 2024, Durham, NC – Though community college students make up nearly half of all U.S. undergraduate students, they are often overlooked by sexual and relationship health research. In addition, community college students are less likely to receive sexual health resources, are more likely to experience STIs and unplanned pregnancy, and are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors than four-year college students. To address these gaps in research and better understand how to promote the sexual health of community college students, iRT has been conducting the Community College Health Study for over two years with funding provided by [...]

iRT Receives Funding to Continue Researching the Sexual Health of Community College StudentsElizabeth Porter2024-11-25T15:21:50+00:00

The American Journal of Sexuality Education Publishes iRT’s Research on Sex Education Programs for College Students

Elizabeth Porter2024-11-25T14:59:53+00:00

November 25, 2024, Durham, NC – The American Journal of Sexuality Education recently published an article detailing findings from iRT’s research on comprehensive sex education programs for college students. The article, entitled “Acceptability and Fidelity of a Media Literacy Education-Based, Comprehensive Sexual Health Program for College Students: A Multi-Method Student-Centered Evaluation,” was authored by current and former iRT Researchers Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson, Kylia Ahuna, Dr. Tracy Scull, Dr. Christina Dodson, and Dr. Janis Kupersmidt. College students are at high risk for engaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex and poor communication with partners. Providing high-quality comprehensive sex education is [...]

The American Journal of Sexuality Education Publishes iRT’s Research on Sex Education Programs for College StudentsElizabeth Porter2024-11-25T14:59:53+00:00

iRT Researcher Offers Workshops to Empower Parents to Practice Media Literacy Strategies with Their Children

Elizabeth Porter2024-10-07T15:46:38+00:00

October 07, 2024, Durham, NC – Research has shown that tweens and teens make healthier decisions when their parents have high-quality conversations with them about sex, puberty, relationships, sexual violence, gender stereotypes, and substance use. However, parents sometimes avoid having conversations with their children about these topics because they find it overwhelming or uncomfortable. In addition, parents may not know how to begin these conversations or what they should be talking with their child about. Many parents feel concerned about how consistent media exposure in the digital age may be impacting their children, including how it may be impacting their thoughts [...]

iRT Researcher Offers Workshops to Empower Parents to Practice Media Literacy Strategies with Their ChildrenElizabeth Porter2024-10-07T15:46:38+00:00

iRT’s research on media literacy and adolescent sexual health is highlighted in a chapter in the forthcoming book, Teens, Sex, and Media Effects

Elizabeth Porter2024-09-27T19:57:51+00:00

September 27, 2024, Durham, NC – iRT’s researchers have a wealth of expertise in media literacy education and sexual health research. Teens, Sex, and Media Effects: Understanding Media’s Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Advocacy, the soon-to-be-released book compiling original research related to adolescent sexual health and sexual media, will showcase some of iRT’s work. Drs. Christina Dodson and Tracy Scull authored a chapter for the book highlighting over a decade of iRT’s research on sexual health and media literacy education in a chapter entitled “Media Literacy Education for Comprehensive Sexual Health Promotion.” Chapters of Teens, Sex, and Media Effects [...]

iRT’s research on media literacy and adolescent sexual health is highlighted in a chapter in the forthcoming book, Teens, Sex, and Media EffectsElizabeth Porter2024-09-27T19:57:51+00:00

Recent Research on the Sexual Health Outcomes of Community College Students with Respect to Gender and Sexual Identity

Elizabeth Porter2024-08-07T22:06:18+00:00

August 07, 2024, Durham, NC – The Journal of American College Health recently published important findings from iRT’s sexual health research with community college students. The article, entitled “An examination of the sexual health behaviors and cognitions of young U.S. community college students with respect to the intersection of gender and sexual identity,” was authored by iRT Research Scientists Drs. Reina Evans-Paulson, Tracy Scull, Katie Stump, and Christina Dodson, as well as former iRT researcher Megan Armstrong. College students are at risk for negative sexual health outcomes, including high risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy. While a wealth of research explores [...]

Recent Research on the Sexual Health Outcomes of Community College Students with Respect to Gender and Sexual IdentityElizabeth Porter2024-08-07T22:06:18+00:00

iRT’s Recent Research Examines How Sex Education Affects the Way College Students Think About Sex and Relationships

Elizabeth Porter2024-06-17T20:34:51+00:00

June 17, 2024, Durham, NC – Over the past few years, iRT researchers have been conducting the Community College Health Study to learn more about how to promote the sexual and relationship health of community college students. Over 1,500 students and 50 faculty, staff, and administrators from community colleges across the United States are participating in the Community College Health Study. Findings from the study are being used to examine sexual health programming to enhance student health and prevent sexual assault, as well as to help community college personnel find ways to promote the well-being of their students. As part of [...]

iRT’s Recent Research Examines How Sex Education Affects the Way College Students Think About Sex and RelationshipsElizabeth Porter2024-06-17T20:34:51+00:00