Sexual Communication and Sexual Consent Self-Efficacy Among College Students: Implications for Sexually Transmitted...

Obtaining affirmative consent, a hallmark of sexual violence prevention education on college campuses, may influence sexual communication and behaviors such as condom use. This study examined the relationship between self-efficacy to obtain sexual consent with sexual health communication and behaviors among a sample of U.S. college students.

Data were from 2,291 students enrolled in a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted on 28 college campuses from 2015 to 2017. Students reported their self-efficacy to obtain sexual consent, communication about sexual health, and sexual health behaviors. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for school clustering, history of violence victimization, and sexually transmitted infection history, estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sexual consent self-efficacy and sexual health communication.

Females (n = 1,150) reported higher self-efficacy to obtain consent than males (b₁ = .32, 95% CI = .23, .41), but lower odds of communication about condom use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = .75, 95% CI = .60, .96) and HIV prevention (AOR = .63, 95% CI = .48, .81). Black and other race students reported higher odds of HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevention communication than white students. Odds of consistent condom use were highest among students reporting condom use communication and high self-efficacy to obtain sexual consent (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.58, 2.51).

Campus sexual assault prevention education that focuses narrowly on obtaining sexual consent may be missing an opportunity to enhance sexual health communication broadly, including condom and contraceptive use discussion to promote overall sexual health.