ERIC Number: EJ1463144
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0965-4283
EISSN: EISSN-1758-714X
Available Date: 2025-02-11
"I Think It Made Me a Better Person": Fostering Personal-Social Development among Immigrant Youth through the SExT Theatre Programme
Health Education, v125 n2 p139-154 2025
Purpose: Immigrant youth face both unique and disproportionate barriers to sexual health. Targeted sexual health education to redress these disparities requires creative and inclusive approaches that consider personal and community challenges and strengths. This study piloted a novel intervention: SExT: Sex Education by Theatre, a theatre-based, culturally-relevant, participatory action research programme delivered in an immigration destination neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. Design/methodology/approach: Nineteen youth were trained as peer educators. They participated in theatre-based workshops on sexual health topics which culminated in a performance for local peers. Mixed methods evaluation included surveys which investigated changes in personal and social development over three time-points (pre, post, 4-month follow-up). The impact of the intervention on peer educators was explored in greater depth using qualitative peer interviews and focus groups. Findings: Quantitative study findings indicated that peer educators experienced significant improvements in personal growth, social inclusion and social engagement after participating in SExT and these improvements were maintained at follow-up. Thematic qualitative analysis further indicates that meaningful involvement in a sex education theatre intervention may protect against adverse outcomes and promote self-actualization, connection and active citizenship. Originality/value: This research stands out for its innovative approach to addressing sexual health disparities among immigrant youth in Toronto using culturally relevant theatre-based peer education. SExT may serve as a model for sexual health interventions for newcomer youth and other priority groups in diverse contexts.
Descriptors: Immigrants, Barriers, Sexuality, Health Behavior, Health Education, Drama, Sex Education, Culturally Relevant Education, Peer Teaching, Program Effectiveness, Foreign Countries, Intervention, Youth Programs, Secondary School Students, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Grade 9; High Schools; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Grade 10; Grade 11; Grade 12
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Toronto)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; 2Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Toronto, Canada; 3KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; 4SExT: Sex Education by Theatre, Toronto, Canada