Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms clinical trials

Fathers Raising Responsible Men (FRRM): Addressing Sexual Health

While existing teen pregnancy prevention efforts have contributed to significant declines in the overall U.S. teen pregnancy rate, teen pregnancy prevention programs specifically targeting adolescent males are limited and sorely needed. The primary aim of the proposed research is to further develop, evaluate, and disseminate a teen pregnancy prevention program specifically designed for adolescent males to enhance the current scientific evidence and intervention options available for broad public health implementation. The proposed intervention Fathers Raising Responsible Men (FRRM) focuses on the adolescent male component of teen pregnancy by identifying and addressing adolescent risk and paternal protective behaviors specific to adolescent males that have not been fully addressed in previous prevention efforts. This study strives to reduce adolescent male sexual risk behavior through targeting African American and Latino adolescent males aged 15-19 and their fathers residing in the South Bronx, specifically Mott Haven and surrounding areas in three phases. Phase I is a pilot study consisting of eight dyads (fathers and sons) to test and refine the intervention and technical and training assistance needs. Phase II is the Randomized Control Trial (RCT) comprised of two cohorts (a total of 500 father-son dyads) to rigorously evaluate the intervention. During the final 6 months of the project, qualitative interviews with 30 father-son dyads will be conducted to triangulate the quantitative RCT results with participant experiences of FRRM. Finally, in Phase III the intervention will be refined and the intervention materials will be available to the general public, while findings will be widely disseminated. These three phases allow for the successful implementation and evaluation of FRRM in conjunction with the refinement and provision of all training and technical assistance necessary for the intervention. If successful, the proposed project will further develop the current scientific evidence and intervention options targeted specifically to the teen pregnancy prevention needs of African American and Latino adolescent males.