Abstract
Adapting a Life Skills Application to Address Interpersonal Relationships in College
Michelle Munro-Kramer, PhD, CNM, FNP-BC1, Jose Bauermeister, PhD, MPH2, Yasamin Kusunoki, PhD, MPH3, Quyen Epstein-Ngo, PhD, LP1, Rob Stephenson, PhD, MSc3 and Lindsay Cannon, MPH, MSW1
(1)University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, (2)University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, (3)University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Background: Sexual violence is a public health crisis with 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experiencing sexual assault in college. There is a need for holistic primary prevention interventions. Past research emphasizes life skills and social competency as approaches that address individuals within their ecological context. We use a participatory approach and the ADAPT-ITT model to assess student needs in relation to life skills and holistic self-care, followed by decisions on adapting a pre-existing web-based application (app).
Methods: A diverse group of students and faculty/staff were recruited using flyers, announcements, and snowball sampling for focus group discussions (FGDs; 7 with students and 3 with faculty/staff). FGDs focused on the four domains of (1) interpersonal relationships, (2) sexual violence, (3) campus resources, and (4) diversity. A Student Advisory Board and Technical Expertise Group made final decisions on the content included in the app.
Results: Preliminary analyses indicate participants recommend the following core domains: (1) broad focus on interpersonal relationships including those with roommates, faculty, friends, family, and sexual partners; (2) components of healthy relationships including communication, conflict management, negotiating, and empowerment; (3) identifying problems in relationships including misalignment of values, toxicity, or violence; and (4) resources that are inclusive to a diverse student body.
Conclusions: The ADAPT-ITT model provided a useful framework to begin adapting a pre-existing app focused on life skills and holistic self-care. Participants were excited about the potential this app has to provide a wide breadth of information about healthy relationships to diverse students.
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related nursing Social and behavioral sciences