We conducted focus group interviews with students who were current peer health educators at a mid-sized university to determine what factors motivate individuals to volunteer for a peer health education program. Specifically, we asked the participants questions designed to explore their life experiences, their expectations of the peer education program, and their motivations. Constructs from social learning theory were used to categorize and contribute to our understanding of the responses. Many participants specified experiences with family members or friends, such as alcoholism or other illnesses, that had influenced their decisions. Participants' expectation of the program varied greatly and did not indicate a strong link to the decision to volunteer. The peer health educators' motivations for volunteering were altruistic, such as wanting to help others; egotistic, such as wanting job training; or related to self-efficacy beliefs, such as satisfying a personal need for health education. This study indicated that life experiences, a belief in the effectiveness of peer health education programs, and positive reinforcement to join influence the decision to volunteer. Implications for coordinating peer education programs are discussed.

A randomized, posttest-only experimental design was used to compare the date-rape attitudes of university students who were exposed to a mixed-gender date-rape workshop (n = 163) with those of students who were not exposed (n = 168). A previously validated instrument, the 25-item Date Rape Attitudes Survey (DRAS), was used as the criterion measure. Three hypotheses were tested, with the following results: (1) Men reported attitudes that were more tolerant of date rape than those reported by women (ie, the men were more likely to condone date rape); (2) students in the control group reported attitudes that were more tolerant of date rape than those reported by students in the treatment group; and (3) men exhibited a greater effect from the program than did women. Finally, the authors discuss implications of the study and offer recommendations for future research evaluating date-rape prevention programs.

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LGBT inclusive sex education is one way to address health disparities that exist between students who identify as LGBT and those who identify as heterosexual and cisgender. This study examined the inclusivity of sex education in Montana's high schools and the challenges faced by teachers in providing sex education that is relevant for LGBT youth. Data were collected via electronic questionnaires from 237 young adult alumni of Montana's high schools, about half of whom identified as LGBT, and 64 health enhancement teachers tasked with teaching sex education. Nearly 90% of respondents rated the nine sex education topics listed on the questionnaire as "somewhat or very important." While the importance of sex education was affirmed by most of the young adults and teachers represented in this study, fewer than 30% recalled topics related to LGBT sexual health being "fully covered." Lack of teacher training was the most salient factor related to the paucity of coverage. Meeting the needs of all students in Montana's schools requires professional training and development for teachers that includes a focus on delivering inclusive, comprehensive sex education.

Purpose To expand the reach of health-promotion efforts for people with disabilities, we piloted a health-coaching intervention with a disability-specific curriculum. We evaluated the intervention’s effects on health-related quality of life and health behavior change. Design Mixed-methods research design using pre-post measures and semi-structured interviews. Setting/Participants A convenience sample of community-dwelling adults with disabilities (n = 39). Intervention Participants engaged in a curriculum-based health coaching intervention, titled Health My Way, which used weekly one-on-one coaching for up to 12 weeks. Methods Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys including questions from the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measure and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. A subset of participants completed in-depth interviews to explore how health coaching influences health behavior change (n = 12). Results We found statistically significant effects on poor-health days due to physical and mental health, and effects on physical activity. We saw additional effects with engagement in relevant curriculum content. Qualitative main themes (tailoring of information, enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, and social support) indicated processes by which health coaching supported health behavior changes. Conclusions The results of this pilot study indicate health coaching appears to be effective for improving HRQOL and health behavior, especially physical activity, for people with disabilities. Apparent key factors include enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, having tailored information, and social support.