Category
Three-Minute Thesis
Description
Background: Risky sexual behavior among adolescents is a significant public health concern in the United States and locally in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 2024, Virginia reported elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including 851 new HIV cases (21.4% occurring in ages 15–24), as well as high rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, which heavily burden youth. In Lynchburg specifically, 43.5% of high school seniors report having had sexual intercourse, and the teen birth rate is 12 per 1,000 for females aged 15–19. Beyond physical health, these behaviors reflect poor spiritual health and a departure from a biblical sexual ethic, as sex outside of God's design goes against scripture (Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). It also highlights a lack of healthy relationship modeling and a culture operating outside of God's call to honor, serve, and love one another (Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Study objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine what existing scholarly literature reveals about the effectiveness of evidence-based, relationship-skills sexual education programs in reducing risky sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Additionally, the study aimed to identify critical gaps in the literature that could inform the development of a faith-integrated relationship education program.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Researchers searched databases including PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, ERIC, and PsycInfo for English-language literature published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria required U.S.-based intervention evaluation studies focusing on adolescents and young adults aged 14–24. Studies had to evaluate at least one of the following outcome domains: behavioral (e.g., sexual initiation, STI rates), relational (e.g., communication), safety (e.g., dating violence), or knowledge. Theoretical papers, commentaries, and gray literature were excluded.
Results: From an initial retrieval of 157 records, 10 studies met the final inclusion criteria. The literature indicated that evidence-based programs, such as Love Notes and Missouri PREP, successfully drive behavioral change by improving relationship and communication skills, boundary-setting, self-efficacy, and values formation. However, a gap analysis revealed that while these programs are successful, none of the evaluated curricula integrate a structured Christian theological framework or biblical values alongside relational skill development.
Conclusion: There is a critical need for comprehensive education that combines evidence-based sexual health and relational skills with a Christian worldview. This gap presents an opportunity to develop faith-integrated models, such as the proposed "Rooted" program, which pairs the Love Notes curriculum with a biblical supplement called "Digging Deep" to promote holistic relational health.
Keywords: Adolescents, Young Adults, Sexual Education, Sexual Risk Avoidance, Relationship Skills, Program Evaluation, Christian worldview
Bridging the Gap in Adolescent and Young Adult Sexual Health Education
Three-Minute Thesis
Background: Risky sexual behavior among adolescents is a significant public health concern in the United States and locally in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 2024, Virginia reported elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including 851 new HIV cases (21.4% occurring in ages 15–24), as well as high rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, which heavily burden youth. In Lynchburg specifically, 43.5% of high school seniors report having had sexual intercourse, and the teen birth rate is 12 per 1,000 for females aged 15–19. Beyond physical health, these behaviors reflect poor spiritual health and a departure from a biblical sexual ethic, as sex outside of God's design goes against scripture (Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). It also highlights a lack of healthy relationship modeling and a culture operating outside of God's call to honor, serve, and love one another (Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Study objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine what existing scholarly literature reveals about the effectiveness of evidence-based, relationship-skills sexual education programs in reducing risky sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Additionally, the study aimed to identify critical gaps in the literature that could inform the development of a faith-integrated relationship education program.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Researchers searched databases including PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, ERIC, and PsycInfo for English-language literature published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria required U.S.-based intervention evaluation studies focusing on adolescents and young adults aged 14–24. Studies had to evaluate at least one of the following outcome domains: behavioral (e.g., sexual initiation, STI rates), relational (e.g., communication), safety (e.g., dating violence), or knowledge. Theoretical papers, commentaries, and gray literature were excluded.
Results: From an initial retrieval of 157 records, 10 studies met the final inclusion criteria. The literature indicated that evidence-based programs, such as Love Notes and Missouri PREP, successfully drive behavioral change by improving relationship and communication skills, boundary-setting, self-efficacy, and values formation. However, a gap analysis revealed that while these programs are successful, none of the evaluated curricula integrate a structured Christian theological framework or biblical values alongside relational skill development.
Conclusion: There is a critical need for comprehensive education that combines evidence-based sexual health and relational skills with a Christian worldview. This gap presents an opportunity to develop faith-integrated models, such as the proposed "Rooted" program, which pairs the Love Notes curriculum with a biblical supplement called "Digging Deep" to promote holistic relational health.
Keywords: Adolescents, Young Adults, Sexual Education, Sexual Risk Avoidance, Relationship Skills, Program Evaluation, Christian worldview
