Readiness to engage in assertive responding, self-protective dating behaviors, and sexual communication: A transtheoretical model-based analysis of college women.

Most sexual assault prevention approaches are universal in nature. The present study evaluated a Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-based Stages of Change (SOC) measure assessing readiness to utilize sexual assault risk reduction skills. The measure was evaluated with regard to Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy. Survey data were collected from 300 college women (=18.5,  = 0.79). Three SOC measures were developed and evaluated for using: 1) assertive responding; 2) self-protective dating behaviors; and 3) open sexual communication. Item development was followed by exploratory, confirmatory, and external validation analyses. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) indicated two, six-item factors (Positive Outcomes α=.91; Negative Outcomes α=.85) for Decisional Balance. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) supported a two-factor correlated model, χ(66)=2101.70, <.001, CFI=.946, RMSEA=.083. For Self-Efficacy, EFA indicated one, six-item factor (α=.81). These readiness assessments may guide understanding of factors influencing sexual assault risk reduction program outcomes and aid in tailoring program content.