The objective of this study is to increase. seatbelt usage rates among Rhode Island high school students. The underlying strategy for the interventions will be to work with existing student advocacy groups in the school in order for them to continue the program after the researchers have introduced the intervention process and provided training.
Highway
Two years ago in a study funded by RIDOT, Daniel Belanan and Jerome Schaffran conducted a statewide assessment of Rhode island high school students' seatbelt use. Over 14,000 students in 29 schools responded to a brief survey. Survey items were designed so that. The respondents could be placed into stages described in the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska). Depending on the pattern of responses, students could be classified as not considering using a seatbelt (Precontemplators), considering using a seatbelt (Contemplators), occasionally using a seatbelt.(preparers), almost always using a seatbelt (Actors), or always uses a seatbelt (Maintainers).
Berman and Schaffran found Rhode Island high school students reported using sea-thefts at a lower rate than what had been found for all drivers in other parts. Of the country (69.5% vs. 79%), that boys reported lower use than girls (79% vs. 68.9%), and that freshman reported lower use than seniors (54% vs. 73.2%). These researchers also conducted 13 site observations of seat belt use as students arrived at school on the morning the survey was administered. Results from 2700 observations confirmed that observed use is lower than reported use (73.7% vs. 82.8%) in these schools. And although 83% of the students reported using their seat belts, 13.9% reported that they did not. Use a seat belt on that day, which in combination provides researchers with an "actual use" statistic of 69.5% usage.
Dr. Adams and Dr. Schaffran are professors in the HDF department and manage the FRP for the University. The Partnership has faculty members from various University departments with expertise in training, grant writing, and research evaluation. The FRP has had contracts with several local, state, and federal agencies, primarily in the social science areas, Rhode Island Departments of Health and Homan Services.
Their home department, IMF, has nationally recognized faculty in child and adolescent development, family studies, and 'community health. Adolescent risk factors, such as the non-use of seat belts, are an area of on-going research. Intervention process developed and implemented by researchers TASKS and TIMELINE $162,537.00 Students will be employed to collect and assist in the analysis of data. This project is related to other URITC funded seatbelt studies. None listed. This targeted intervention technique involves raising the awareness of socially driven decision making enhanced by information, advice, motivation and incentives. This program operates at the level of individuals and student groups in order to facilitate the making of safe journeys; it forms an important part of national and local transport policy, contributing to the suite of tools designed to promote smart choices. seatbelt
Interventions developed and implemented by high school students
Pre-post intervention survey results of seatbelt use in 6 high schools
Post intervention observation results of seatbelt use in 6 high schools
Research brief of findings
1) Summer, 2006: Researchers will approach the schools to participate in the study and refine the intervention process to be introduced to schools in the fall of 2006,
During the summer, they will select three schools in which the intervention process will be introduced and three similar schools that will not receive the intervention. Of the three schools in each group, one will be selected from schools having high usage rates, one from mid-level usage rates, and one from low usage rates. These selection criteria will allow researchers to determine if the intervention process works equally at all levels of usage.
2) Fall, 2006:
After the schools have agreed to participate, researchers will begin working with a.student group and their advisor in each school. Intervention groups will be trained in brainstorming techniques to develop interventions for each of the Traustheoretical Model stages, e.g., strategies that might work with Freeontemplators might not work for Actors. In addition, alternative strategies for boys and girls and older and younger students will he brainstormed.. Once the final list of interventions is completed, each school group will be tau 'clenched how to develop their cost-effective interventions. In addition, the students will
be trained how to collect observational data at their school and enter the data into UJRI's Transportation Center website. Observational data are easier and more cost-effective for students to collect and are more consistently "true" than are survey data
3) Mid-fall, 2006: With consultation from the research team, the student group will begin to implement their interventions.
4) Fall, 2006: Researchers will administer surveys and conduct observations in both the intervention and control schools to determine usage rates. These rates will be compared to the school's rate in the Berman and Sohaffran study.
5) May, 2007: Each school group will evaluate their Interventions and determine their membership for the next school year.
6) Summer, 2007: Researchers will refine the intervention process and analyze survey and observation data,
7) Fall, 2007: Researchers will take a less active role in the intervention process in order to determine if the process can become self initiating. Mentoring and coaching will be done as needed, especially with new team members. Researchers and students will again conduct observations at the end of the semester. The. original seatbelt survey will also be administered in order to compare to the observational data and the baseline data collected by Berman and Schaffran.
8) Spring, 2008: Researchers will analyze all study data and feedback on interventions and prepare a final report by May 30, 2008