Learning Styles and Stage of Readiness – A Tailored HIV Intervention for Youth Detained in the Juvenile Justice System

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3276.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - 3:06 PM

Abstract #48651

Nikki A Herman-Shipley, PhD(abd)¹, Robert E. Morris, MD², Kayvonna Tabb³, Thomas W. Valente, PhD¹, and Phyllis A. Paxton, MN³. (1) Department of Preventive Medicine, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, 1910 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90026, 310-991-1683, hermansh@scf.usc.edu, (2) Pediatrics, UCLA, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (3) JWCH Institute, Inc., 1910 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90026

This presentation will a) describe the differential learning styles among youth detained by the Juvenile Justice system in Los Angeles County; and b) assess the effects of an HIV intervention incorporating each type of "learning style" and the "Transtheoretical Model" of change (stage of readiness) in reducing risky behaviors among these youth. A multiethnic group of 387 male adolescents being detained at two probation detention camps in Los Angeles County participated in the intervention and completed a learning styles inventory, pre-, post-, and 1- and 3-month follow-up self-administered questionnaires. Compared with the general youth population, program participants were found to have significantly different learning styles. There was a significant change in the youth’s readiness to reduce their risk-taking behaviors from pre- to post-intervention and at 1- and 3-month follow-up. The utility of implementing a personalized curriculum that incorporates both learning styles and stage of readiness will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

GOALS/DESIRED OUTCOMES

The goal of this session is to assist participants in developing effective HIV prevention intervention curriculum for incarcerated, probationary and at-risk youth. Do these adolescents have differential learning styles? What strategies and theories are effective in an intervention prevention curriculum targeting these high risk youth?
OBJECTIVES
By the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to
- 3. Describe the risk-taking behaviors among youth detained by the Juvenile Justice system in Los Angeles County.
  6. Determine a youth’s “stage of readiness” for reducing HIV risk behaviors.
  9. Discuss the efficacy of an HIV intervention that incorporates an individual’s learning style and “stage of readiness” in reducing risky behaviors among youth detained in Los Angeles County Probationary facilities.

Keywords: Adolescents, HIV Interventions

Related Web page: jwchinstitute.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: JWCH Institute, Inc. is a community-based organization funded to develop and implement the program that was evaluated.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: As development officer of agency I developed program strategies but do not implement program.

School Health-Related Student Performed Research

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA