Objective: This study examined college students' perceptions of how parents, family, friends, significant others, and the media influenced eating and exercise behaviors and weight perceptions. Participants: Forty-one college students, mostly female, participated in interviews. Methods: A Grounded Theory approach, using open coding and memoing, was…

Although large scale national surveys provide extensive data about the nature and frequency of alcohol use among American college students, survey research on alcohol does not provide detailed information on the context of college alcohol consumption that may contribute to drinking-related negative consequences. This research sought to gather…

Introduces a series of articles on peer health education, noting why this journal issue is devoted to peer education. Discusses the definition and structure of peer education, structure of the issue, overview of peer education, existing programs, customized interventions, and a training design for peer education programs. (SM)

College peer education is growing, often representing the best use of campus resources for specific needs. Model peer education requires carefully trained and supervised programs that ensure continuous quality improvement. Health educators are exploring more comprehensive training and delivery models, as peer education works to change health…

Role play can teach college students responsible alcohol consumption behavior. The paper presents a technique to help students develop skills and attitudes that lead to responsible alcohol use behaviors. The technique models appropriate behaviors for party hosts, helps students put knowledge into action, and lets students explore the potential…

Explored relationships between college students' alcohol use, participation in late-night alcohol-free entertainment options, perceived drinking norms, social identity, and perception of university policy. Surveys indicated that students who considered the LateNight program a way to have fun without alcohol were less likely to binge drink than…

A five-year study examined the effects of a mass media campaign to change college students' perceptions of peer norms and binge drinking. Annual survey data indicated a significant drop in numbers of students who perceived binge drinking as the norm and a corresponding reduction in binge drinking. (SM)

Many colleges have established substance-free residence halls as one strategy for coping with the problem of binge drinking. The paper presents guidelines for ensuring that the substance-free housing succeeds, including starting small, involving students in design and development, keeping the area separate, considering special programming, and…

With the increasing threat of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), intensive educational programs are implemented and/or planned worldwide. It is usually assumed that providing information and generating concern leads to AIDS-preventive behaviors. Attitude theory and research in social psychology does not necessarily support this…

Examines literature on peer education in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) programs for youth. The review shows that peer involvement helps increase access to, and acceptance of, HIV/AIDS prevention messages, and enhances the possibility of behavior change. (SM)

Discusses the District of Columbia Public Schools' collaborative approach to HIV/AIDS prevention education centered on peer education. The program is part of a broader school health project that addresses many health risk areas. It links peer programs to local networks, training teachers and peer educators and offering special community training…

Examined the relationship between junior high school students' participation in an alcohol prevention program and level of refusal skills (as measured by role plays), noting the relationship between refusal skills and alcohol misuse over three years. Regression analysis indicated that refusal skills were significant mediators of the effect of the…

The Project Northland peer participation program tested the feasibility and effect of involving students in planning and promoting alcohol-free peer social activities. Longitudinal studies indicated nearly half of the student cohort participated. There was a relationship between students' involvement with planning and lower rate of alcohol use.…