Efficacy of Abstinence Promotion Media Messages: Findings from an Online Randomized Trial

Objective: We conducted an online randomized experiment to evaluate the efficacy of messages from the Parents Speak Up National Campaign (PSUNC) to promote parent-child communication about sex. Methods: We randomly assigned a national sample of 1,969 mothers and fathers to treatment (PSUNC exposure) and control (no exposure) conditions. Mothers were further randomized into treatment and booster (additional messages) conditions to evaluate dose-response effects. Participants were surveyed at baseline, 4 weeks postexposure, and 6 months postexposure. We used multivariable logistic regression procedures in our analysis. Results: Treatment fathers were more likely than control fathers to initiate conversations about sex at 4 weeks, and treatment fathers and mothers were more likely than controls at 6 months to recommend that their children wait to have sex. Treatment fathers and mothers were far more likely than controls to use the campaign Web site. There was a dose-response effect for mothers' Web site use. Conclusions: Using new media methods, this study shows that PSUNC messages are efficacious in promoting parent-child communication about sex and abstinence. Future research should evaluate mechanisms and effectiveness in natural settings. (C) 2009 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved.