Using smartphones to collect daily sexual behavior data from college students

Willis, M. and Jozkowski, K. N. (2018) Using smartphones to collect daily sexual behavior data from college students. Journal of American College Health, 66(7), pp. 529-532. (doi: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1440577) (PMID:29447620)

Abstract

Objective: Our objectives were to measure reporting differences between sexual behavior data from daily diary and retrospective estimates and to assess the utility of using smartphones to collect sexual behavior data from a college student population. Participants: Eighty-six participants (68 women, 18 men) completed the study. Methods: For 30 days during the Spring 2017 semester, participants received prompts to participate in daily diaries about their previous day's sexual behavior on their smartphones. Participants then retrospectively reported their past 30 days of sexual behavior and provided feedback on the process of receiving daily diaries on their smartphones. Results: We found that college students overreported their sexual behavior on the retrospective survey compared to their daily diary reports (ps < .001; Cohen's ds ≥ 1.51). Participants provided positive and constructive feedback. Conclusions: Using smartphones to administer daily diaries is a promising technique for obtaining reliable sexual behavior data from college students.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study was funded, in part, by the Doug Kirby Adolescent Sexual Health Research Grant from the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Indiana University of Public Health-Bloomington.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Willis, Dr Malachi
• Authors: Willis, M., and Jozkowski, K. N.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Journal of American College Health
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0744-8481
• ISSN (Online): 1940-3208
• Published Online: 15 February 2018