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Amanda K. Ziegert, Cynthia D. Baker, PhD, and Greta K. Tessman. Child and Family Health, Danya International, Inc., 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 240-645-1064, aziegert@danya.com
Although most adolescents are required to attend health classes, curricula rarely contain information on mental illness (Adelman et al., 1999). A large number of youth report a lack of knowledge about mental health; some even have a fear of mental illness (Villeneuve et al., 1996).
The present study was designed to evaluate a multimedia curriculum for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students on mental illness in adolescents. The curriculum was developed to increase students’ knowledge about mental illness, reduce social stigma, and improve attitudes about teens with these problems.
Student health classrooms were randomized to experimental or control conditions. All students completed pre-test measures. One week later, during a one-hour class period, teachers conducted the mood disorders module (experimental) or an unrelated lesson (control). Students in both groups completed post-test measures immediately following the lessons.
Participants will be eighty (N = 40 per group) primarily African American 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students from three schools in Washington D.C. (We have complete data from 56 participants, and are actively recruiting 24 additional subjects.)
An updated version of the Opinions About Mental Illness scale (Cohen and Struening, 1962), which has been validated for use with adolescents, assesses student attitudes about mental illness. The Knowledge Questionnaire, a 12-item, multiple-choice measure developed by the research team, is based on the content of the curriculum.
Data will be collected by April 2004 and results will be included in the poster presentation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this poster session, the participant will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment