Kan Marni L, Scaglione Nichole M, Buben Alexander, Morgan Jessica K, Grimes Kathryn E L, Watson Colleen J, Charm Samantha, Lowe Ashley N, Eckhoff Randall P, Lane Marian, Root Meghan K, Pound Leah B
Health Practice Area, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2024 Nov 21;10(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s40814-024-01565-6.
Sexual assault prevention is a priority for the military and is likely to be most effective when tailored to specific needs and individual experiences. Technology advances make it possible to integrate individualized programming into group education settings common to military training, but this approach is not without potential challenges. Prior to implementing and evaluating a novel prevention program, it is critical to conduct a feasibility study to assess the extent to which the program can be successfully implemented, is acceptable to participants, and can be rigorously evaluated. This paper presents the results of a large feasibility study of the Sexual Communication and Consent (SCC) program in Air Force Basic Military Training. The objectives were to understand (1) the suitability and acceptability of SCC and study procedures, (2) the research team's resources and ability to manage and implement the study and SCC, and (3) the appropriateness of the data collection procedures and outcome measures.
The 26-week feasibility study involved more than 9000 trainees. At pretest, the sample was 73% male and 90% straight. Half of trainees (51%) reported not being in a romantic relationship, and 46% reported being in an exclusive romantic relationship. SCC involved 6 h of training over two sessions delivered 2 weeks apart. Sessions combined tablet-based training that was tailored to individual sexual assault risk (for revictimization, first-time victimization, or perpetration based on a screening instrument) with instructor-led classroom activities and discussion.
Trainee, instructor, and observer data indicated that the program was feasible, implemented with high fidelity, and acceptable to trainees. Technology and data collection procedures worked well, but time constraints led to program changes, missed content, and missing survey data. Staff time and skill requirements for SCC implementation exceeded those of standard training.
Our results suggest that high-quality implementation of tailored sexual assault prevention training is feasible in a military environment, and they inform recommendations for program revisions, future evaluation, and sustainability.
性侵犯预防是军队的一项优先任务，当针对特定需求和个人经历进行调整时，可能会最有效。技术进步使得将个性化课程融入军事训练中常见的集体教育环境成为可能，但这种方法并非没有潜在挑战。在实施和评估一项新的预防计划之前，进行可行性研究以评估该计划能够成功实施的程度、参与者是否接受以及能否进行严格评估至关重要。本文介绍了一项针对空军基础军事训练中性沟通与同意（SCC）计划的大型可行性研究结果。目标是了解：（1）SCC及研究程序的适用性和可接受性；（2）研究团队管理和实施该研究及SCC的资源和能力；（3）数据收集程序和结果指标的适当性。
这项为期26周的可行性研究涉及9000多名学员。在预测试时，样本中73%为男性，90%为异性恋。一半的学员（51%）报告没有恋爱关系，46%报告处于排他性恋爱关系。SCC包括在两周内分两次进行的6小时培训。课程将根据个体性侵犯风险（基于筛查工具的再次受害、首次受害或犯罪）量身定制的平板电脑培训与教师主导的课堂活动和讨论相结合。
学员、教师和观察员的数据表明该计划是可行的，能够高保真地实施，并且学员可以接受。技术和数据收集程序运行良好，但时间限制导致了计划变更、内容遗漏和调查数据缺失。实施SCC所需的工作人员时间和技能要求超过了标准培训。
我们的结果表明，在军事环境中高质量地实施量身定制的性侵犯预防培训是可行的，并且为计划修订、未来评估和可持续性提供了建议。
