Effects of Service Learning on Teen Seatbelt Usage

The primary aim of this research project was to increase seatbelt usage among teens between 15 and 19 years of age in Jackson, Mississippi. A primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-to-peer, service learning intervention conducted by youth who attend the Jackson Public Schools, Mississippi. We hypothesized that teens who participated in a service learning project that was structured around the importance of seat belt usage would result in increased knowledge, attitudes, and rates of seat belt usage as measured through pre/post surveys, community, and school parking lot observations. A quasi-experimental design and methodology was used to monitor changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of seat belt use. The school based, service learning intervention was implemented in four of the 8 public high schools in Jackson MS. Schools were randomly selected in the first year and alternated in subsequent years. Classroom instructors at each high school were identified in conjunction with the principal and trained to incorporate the principles of service learning into the course curriculum for one or more of their classes in either the fall or spring semester. Self reports of seat belt knowledge, awareness, and use and community and school parking lot observations were used to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. A mixed linear model combining process and outcome data revealed that the amount and timing of structured, classroom, service learning intervention was directly related to an increase in seat belt use by teens.