1. Utilization of the Peer to Peer Model for School-Based Prevention of Unhealthy Behaviors
Monica Parsai, Ph.D., Aimee Sitzler, MSW, & Thera Wolven, MPH
Saguaro Evaluation Group
And
Sam Burba, BS Christian Ministries
notMYkid
Results
Introduction
notMYkid is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that uses the peer-to-peer model to empower local youth, families and communities so they may be equipped to make well informed, positive life choices. Their amplif(i) programs for youth cover six topics: substance use, bullying, Internet safety, unhealthy relationships, eating disorders and depression.
Peer-to-peer model
Peer-to-peer prevention is advantageous because:
Youth are more likely to trust the accuracy of information
Youth are more likely to relate to their peers
Youth tend to have an easier time discussing sensitive topics with people their same age
Amplif(i) program
Young adults conduct the amplif(i) presentations for middle and high school students. During the presentation they share stories about their personal adversities with one of the aformentioned topics. The honesty and emotion evoked from these stories is designed to inspire youth audiences to navigate potentially destructive behaviors in a healthy and responsible manner. The programs are about 1 to 1.5 hours long and delivered by peers in classrooms, assemblies and/or community settings.
Theory of Change (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983)
The Theory of changes proposes that behavior change does not occur from a single moment, but rather a variety of events and processes during five stages: precontemplation (considering future change), contemplation (examining status quo and benefits of change), preparation (creating a plan for change), action (revising plan as needed) and maintenance (integrating behavior into life).
Methodology
The evaluation used a non-randomized design. Participants were students wehre the amplif(i) programs were offered. Trained facilitators (peers) collected surveys from the participants at three points in time: pre-program, post-program and at three months post-program (refer here as follow up).
Pre and post surveys were paired. Follow ups were analyzed in their aggregated form, paired at the group but not at the individual level.
Surveys comprised six to eight questions: two demographic questions (gender and grade), and questions concerning youth previous knowledge of and experience about the program topic.
Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS. Standard analysis procedures were utilized: a) data sanitizing; b) descriptive statistics; c) correlations; d) linear regressions; e) Qui-Squared; f) paired sample t-test.
Attendees Surveyed: Substance use had Largest Number of Youth Respondents
Greatest Percent of Youth Received Help for Unhealthy Relationships at 3-4 Month Follow-Up
1,055 youth said they made a positive change within 3-4 months following the presentation.
A total of 2,947 youth were surveyed
Compared to all programs, a greater percentage of youth who attended the unhealthy relationships presentation reported:
Program Aim
(if met, likely to increase youth commitment to positive change)
Substance Use
Bullying
Internet Safety
Unhealthy Relationships
Depression
Changed way youth view topic (i.e. perceptions) ✔
Increase confidence in seeking help for himself/herself or another person (i.e. self-efficacy).
Help youth identify people in need of help (i.e. problem identification).
Increase knowledge about topic (i.e. knowledge).
Helped youth see why behaviors are problematic (i.e. perceived problem).
Increase youth knowledge of who or where to go for help (i.e. knowledge of resources).
Almost 4 out of 5 Youth Respondents Changed the Way They Thought about Each Behavior
Telling someone what they learned
Telling someone how to get help
Observing changes in peers
Discussion
Youth substance use, bullying, Internet Safety, unhealthy relationships and depression are widely recognized as public health issues affecting American youth and costing millions of dollars to society. The findings from this evaluation suggest the amplif(i) youth programs are not only effective in reducing or eliminating some fo the issues concerning these topics, but are also cost effective when compared to long term prevention programs. The programs are responsive to diverse settings and audiences ranging from as small as eight people to as large as 600 students in school assemblies.
The findings from the amplif(i) unhealthy relationships consistently affirm the need for such program. The largest percentage of participants who made changes in their lives, sought help and noticed positive changes in their peers came from the unhealthy relationships program. This topic is not one parents usually discuss with their children. The amplif(i) program may be the first time youth hear about relationships in the context of their life. Therefore, this awakening may be the reason for the outstanding results of the program.
Greatest Percent of Youth Made Changes with Unhealthy Relationships
Across ALL Programs, Youth Demonstrated SIGNIFICANT Changes in knowledge and attitudes related to…
6 out of 10 youth said they made positive changes to their unhealthy relationships within 3-4 months following the presentation.
Aim
Definition
Perceived Problem
Recognizing each behavior as potentially harmful.
Problem Identification
The ability to identify someone who needs help with each risky behavior.
Knowledge of Resources
Knowledge of who or where to go if someone needs help.
Self-Efficacy
Self-confidence that one can address the problematic behavior if they or someone else needs help.