Date of Defense

4-18-2000

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Richard Spates

Second Advisor

Dr. Lester Wright

Third Advisor

Kathryn Rahn

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects a pilot study including a 'Violence Awareness Campaign' and a 'Violence Prevention Workshop' within an adolescent population. The objective of the study was to increase students' knowledge about violence and violence related issues, resulting in the prevention of dating violence among the students. The study was initiated in five middle schools in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Students in Experimental Group 1 received the 'Violence Prevention Workshop,' which included a two-session curriculum about sexual assault. The 'Violence Awareness Campaign' was implemented in Experimental Group 2. They were exposed to posters and lanyards with an anti-violence message. The Control Group was not exposed to either of these conditions. Both experimental groups and the control group were evaluated through questionnaires. The "workshop" data was analyzed using Chi-square statistics. The "awareness campaign" data was analyzed by describing percentages of "yes" and "no" answers and those answers that resulted in missing data. The "workshop" resulted in a significant increase in students' knowledge about dating violence. No other significant results were found. The "awareness campaign" did not result in any significant increases in students' awareness of violence and violence related issues. The results suggested that the students already had awareness of these issues.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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