Background
Method
Participants
Pilot Intervention and Text Messages for Peer Leaders
Measures
Parent Acceptability
Peer Leader Surveys and Participation
Parent/Staff Feedback
Student Interaction with Text Messages
Data Availability
Results
Interaction With the Implementation Text Messages
Implementation goal | Message themes | Types of text messages to communicate themes | Examples of text messages sent to peer leaders |
---|---|---|---|
Enhancing mission, team identity, and sense of agency | Peer leaders’ participation is valued and needed in making ATI relevant to their school and their group of friends Peer leaders are part of a bigger movement Peer leaders have expertise and opinions that matter | Informational texts about how peers influence each other Feedback from school-based activities Examples of work from teams at other schools National videos (abovetheinfluence.com) Requests for feedback about the program, and what could make it better, more relevant Questions about what messages, themes and strategies will influence their particular friends | Don’t forget—students and teachers at your school nominated you to be a Peer Leader because others look up to you. You can define what’s cool! Welcome and congrats for joining Above the Influence (ATI) at (specific school)! You are part of a national teen movement! :) abovetheinfluence.com Congratulations on completing your first challenge! How do you think it went? |
Connection to school advisors and ATI mentors | Peer leaders’ ATI advisors and mentors care about them, support their group being effective, and are dedicated to the cause | Encouraging messages on behalf of advisors and mentor | Your adult advisors said you did an amazing job last Friday! You put up 901 stickers! |
Content knowledge and personal application | Peer leaders grow as people, friends, and leaders ATI is personal to peer leaders and their friends Rising above negative influences is endorsed by most students | Requesting replies for personal examples of: Staying true to you Rising above negative pressures Positive supports Social norming polls/Q&A | If a kid comes up to you in the hall and asks, “What is ATI?” You would say… How does an adult help you stay true to you? A) I trust and can talk to them B) They’re real w/me and encourage me C) I can be myself w/them D) Not sure Did you know? 96% of 8th graders at (specific school) don’t think drinking alcohol will make them more popular |
Preparation for school-based prevention activities | Getting ready for meetings and activities makes them more exciting and effective ATI is fun | Goal reminders, preparatory videos, meeting reminders Links to photos of PLs having fun/being silly | Students at other ATI schools say they were nervous to present in front of their friends, but it paid off! How do you feel about the upcoming presentations? Text us something funny or memorable from your ATI meeting this week. We’ll pick a couple and share them back to you (no names included!)…. |
Total n messages | n asked for response | Raw mean asked response | Mean by asked response+ | % responded to at least one (asked for response) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enhancing mission and team identity | 8 | 2 | 0.58 (.741) | 0.29 (.370) | 43.9 |
Connection to ATI coach and school | 7 | 4 | 1.41 (1.264) | 0.35 (.316) | 68.3 |
Concept knowledge and personal application | 20 | 5 | 1.88 (1.749) | 0.38 (.350) | 65.9 |
Preparation for prevention activities | 20 | 9 | 3.29 (2.358) | 0.37 (.262) | 82.9 |
Participants | Questions | % Agree/Strongly agree |
---|---|---|
Peer Leader I would be interested in receiving… | I read the messages even when I didn’t reply | 95.1 |
The messages kept me focused on our mission | 82.9 | |
…links to videos | 81.0 | |
…invitations to share advice and experiences anonymously | 92.9 | |
…questions that get you thinking about how you handle pressures | 95.1 | |
…quotes and stories from students facing the same stressors you face | 90.5 | |
…short games like “choose your own adventure” related to ATI | 87.8 | |
Parents | Occasional text messages to peer leaders is a good way to support their mission and involvement | 88.9 |
I would be interested in receiving occasional text messages designed for parents of students involved in ATI | 83.3 | |
School Staff | Substance abuse prevention should incorporate internet use and text messaging | 94.5 |
I would be interested in receiving occasional text messages designed for those involved in ATI | 59.5 |