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How peer education changed peer sexuality educators' self-esteem, personal development, and sexual behavior
R G Sawyer1, P Pinciaro, D Bedwell
1Department of Health Education, University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Sexuality peer education programs show positive trends in educator self-esteem and confidence. While not statistically significant, qualitative data suggest benefits for personal development and safer sexual behavior.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Education
Background:
- Peer education is common in universities, yet lacks rigorous outcome evaluations.
- Focus on the impact of peer education on the educators themselves is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in self-esteem, personal development, and sexual behavior among sexuality peer educators.
- To explore qualitative outcomes of participating in a peer education program.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study over one academic year.
- Involved 65 sexuality peer educators from 10 U.S. universities.
- Utilized objective measures and qualitative data collection.
Main Results:
- Objective measures showed positive shifts, but not statistically significant.
- Qualitative data indicated increased self-esteem, confidence, and safer sexual behavior.
- Peer education appears to positively influence personal and behavioral outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Peer education programs may foster significant personal growth and behavioral changes in educators.
- The importance of program evaluation, especially for peer educators, is highlighted.
- Recommendations for program enhancement and future research are provided.