| Session Title: Evaluation of A Peer Mediated Health Education Program: A Demonstration of Regression Discontinuity Design |
| Demonstration Session 826 to be held in Centennial Section B on Saturday, Nov 8, 9:50 AM to 10:35 AM |
| Sponsored by the Quantitative Methods: Theory and Design TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Karen Larwin, University of Akron, drklarwin@yahoo.com |
| Abstract: The Peer Mediated Health Education Program was implemented in a struggling inner-city school district in NE Ohio, in the hopes that its impact would be result in a measurable change in attitudes, knowledge, behaviors of participating students regarding risky-behaviors. Specifically, the Peer Mediated Health Education Program sought to correct students misconceptions about how many students were participating in risky behaviors, address students misconceptions regarding the dangers associated with participating in risky behaviors, and address options and approaches to avoiding peer pressure to participating in risky behaviors. Students participating in this program received bi-weekly health education classes that were led by trained peer mediators. This evaluation included a two group analyses, in an effort to make decisions about the effectiveness of this first year program and future funding. Regression Discontinuity will be demonstrated with data from an evaluation of the Peer Mediated Health Education Program (n = 755). |