If a student's nominee was not chosen as a leader, he or she was assigned to a group leader nominated by his or her nominee. Peer leaders were taught how to organize and work with their groups. The aim of the programs was to change psychosocial factors involved in tobacco use such as attitudes toward smoking, self-efficacy (the belief that you can accomplish what you set out to do), refusal skills, coping skills and intention to smoke.
Students in the network groups liked the prevention program more, had improved attitudes, showed improved self-efficacy and had decreased intention to smoke when compared to students organized in the two other types of groups.
"Many adults fear that peers can have a strong influence on deviant behavior," Valente said, "but our study adds to evidence that peer influence can be harnessed in a way that benefits health promotion programs."
The article cautioned that although the results reported here were positive, the outcomes measured were attitudinal mediators and not behaviors, and it remains to be seen if behaviors will be affected.
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Contact: Jeff Baskin
jbaskin@usc.edu
626-457-4055
University of Southern California
30-Oct-2003