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Shegog R, Ceglio L, Markham C, Dube S, Song HY, Chandhary P, Spencer A, Peskin M, Santa Maria D, Wilkerson J, Addy R, Emery S, McLaughlin J
A Web-Based Game for Young Adolescents to Improve Parental Communication and Prevent Unintended Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (The Secret of Seven Stones): Development and Feasibility Study
The Secret of Seven Stones: An Intervention Mapping approach to the development and feasibility of an intergenerational, online game for young adolescents to improve parental communication and prevent unintended pregnancy and HIV/STIs.
Ross Shegog;
Laura Ceglio;
Christine Markham;
Sara Dube;
Hsing-Yi Song;
Pooja Chandhary;
Angela Spencer;
Melissa Peskin;
Diane Santa Maria;
Johnny Wilkerson;
Robert Addy;
Susan Emery;
Jeffery McLaughlin
ABSTRACT
Background:
Early adolescent sexual behavior is a significant public health problem in the United States. Parental influence can help to delay sexual debut; yet parents often feel ill equipped to communicate about sex-related topics. Intergenerational games offer a potential strategy to provide life skills training to youth while engaging parents and youth (11-14 years) in communication about sexual health.
Objective:
This study aims to describe the development of an online sexual health intergenerational adventure game, the Secret of Seven Stones (SSS) using an Intervention Mapping (IM) approach for developing theory- and evidence-based interventions.
Methods:
We followed the IM development steps to (1) describe a theoretical and empirical model for youth sexual health behavior, (2) define target behaviors and change objectives; (3) identify theory-based methods and practical applications to inform design and function; (4) develop and test a prototype of two game levels to assess feasibility prior to developing the complete 18-level game; (5) draft an implementation plan including a commercial dissemination strategy; and 6) draft an evaluation plan including a study design for an RCT efficacy trial of SSS.
Results:
SSS comprised: 1) an adventure game for youth skills training delivered via desk top computer; 2) a text-based notification system to provide progress updates for parents and cues to initiate dialogue with their youth; 3) and a website for parent skills-training and progress monitoring. Formative prototype testing demonstrated feasibility for in-home use and positive usability ratings.
Conclusions:
The Secret of Seven Stones (SSS) intergenerational game provides a unique addition to the limited cadre of home-based programs that facilitate parent involvement in influencing youth behaviors and reducing adolescent sexual risk taking. The IM framework provided a logical and thorough approach to development and testing, attentive to the need for theoretical and empirical foundation in serious games for health.
Citation
Please cite as:
Shegog R, Ceglio L, Markham C, Dube S, Song HY, Chandhary P, Spencer A, Peskin M, Santa Maria D, Wilkerson J, Addy R, Emery S, McLaughlin J
A Web-Based Game for Young Adolescents to Improve Parental Communication and Prevent Unintended Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (The Secret of Seven Stones): Development and Feasibility Study