Citation

Wyatt TJ. Calif. J. Health Promot. 2006; 4(3): 165-176.

Affiliation

Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at San Antonio (tammy.wyatt@utsa.edu)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Department of Health and Community Services, California State University, Chico)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Continuing behavioral research has documented the mounting prevalence of child and adolescent health risk behaviors (sexual activity, alcohol and other substance abuse, tobacco use, unhealthy nutritional behaviors, and intentional injury). Fifty pre-service educators were assessed regarding their perception of critical factors that would influence their confidence, comfort, and efficacy levels in dealing with child and adolescent risk behaviors. Study results revealed that administrative support and legal concerns, personal experiences, educational training, the student's family, professional advice, and student support services influence pre-service educators’ reactions to student risk behaviors. Factors essential to enhancing pre-service educators' confidence, comfort, and efficacy levels include providing opportunities to gain skills in tackling risk behaviors; addressing legal issues, such as confidentiality, student rights, and district policies, within a teacher training program; offering professional advice regarding effective strategies for handling risk behaviors in the classroom and school settings; enlightening campus administrators of the importance of perceived teacher support; as well as informing counselors and other support personnel of their identified role as informational resources.