The Effect of Assertive Training on Adolescents' Ability to Assertive in Refusing Premarital Sex: A Quasi-Experimental Approach

Abstract

Premarital sex behavior among adolescents is reproductive health issue. The behavior has been reported to be primarily caused by low assertiveness, which encourages engagement in premarital sex. This study aimed to determine the effect of assertive training on increasing assertiveness against premarital sex in adolescents. This quantitative study was carried out using a quasi-experimental and a control group pretest-posttest design. The procedures were conducted in Wonokromo sub district of Surabaya Indonesia, from May to July 2025. The sample consisted of 40 adolescents aged 13–20 years old, who were selected using a purposive sampling technique and divided into 2 groups. Each group comprised an experimental and a control group. Subsequently, intervention was carried out through assertive training over 5 sessions. The instrument used was Sexual Assertiveness Scale questionnaire, followed by data analysis using paired and independent t-tests. The results showed that the independent t-test gave a ρ value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating a significant difference in the mean level of assertiveness after the intervention between experimental and control groups. The paired t-test showed a ρ value of 0.000 (p < 0.05) for pre- and post-intervention assertiveness levels in the experimental group, showing a significant increase after the intervention. Based on the results, assertive training was effective in improving adolescents’ ability to refuse premarital sex firmly and is recommended for integration into reproductive health education programs.