Connected Dads, Healthy Teens: A Pilot Study of an Online Father-Teen Program to Support Teens’ Sexual Health

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of Connected Dads, Healthy Teens, a 4-week online father-teen program designed to promote healthy communication and decision-making about sex and relationships. A pilot sample of 53 fathers and 50 of their high-school aged teens participated in this program and took pre- and post-test surveys. Participants reported high levels of program feasibility and acceptability. Preliminary efficacy assessment from fathers and teens showed statistically significant increases in sexual health knowledge, and frequency and comfort with father-teen communication. Fathers showed increased self-efficacy for father-teen communication and teens showed increased self-efficacy for communication with a partner. Our findings suggest that the Connected Dads, Healthy Teens program may help fathers and teens to learn sexual health information and communicate about sex and relationships, which has potential to reduce teens’ sexual risk behaviors and bolster their sexual health.