| Abstract: | Investigated the effects of active versus passive participation, as well as behavioral commitment, on the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents in an HIV-prevention intervention. Following completion of an HIV attitudes and knowledge test, a group of 144 9th grade students were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions that included either role-play, video, lecture, or no treatment. Half the participants in each condition were required to commit to attend to HIV-prevention information and educate another student about such issues. A post-test conducted at 4-wk follow-up indicated that students in the active participation condition (i.e., role-play) demonstrated increased knowledge about AIDS and HIV. Behavioral commitment to further HIV-prevention information did not moderate (i.e., enhance) the effects of active participation; however, commitment did lead to more positive attitudes toward HIV-prevention. The findings suggest that a role-play intervention may be a viable alternative to traditional lecture and video methods for enhancing knowledge towards HIV-prevention in adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
