Effects of an Experiential Learning Activities-Focused Smoking Prevention Program in Elementary School Students: On the Basis of the Attitude-Social Influence-Efficacy Model

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the effects of an experiential learning activities-focused smoking prevention (ELSP) program on the basis of the Attitude-Social Influence-Efficacy (ASE) model in elementary school students. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design was conducted with 84 participants who were in the fifth grade of two elementary schools in Seongnam city, South Korea. The two schools were allocated into either the ELSP (n=42) or control (n=42) group. The ELSP group completed five ELSP classes, while the control group completed five traditional lecture-based classes during the 5 weeks. Both groups were examined before and after 5 weeks, using ASE measures of smoking attitude, social influence, self-efficacy for the refusal of smoking temptation, and intention not to smoke. Data were collected from August to September 2017. RESULTS: The ELSP group had significant changes in the scores of smoking attitude (t=4.75, P<0.001) and social influences (t=3.73, P<0.001), compared to those in the control group. However, the ELSP group had non-significant changes in the scores of self-efficacy for the refusal of smoking temptation and intention not to smoke, compared to those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The ELSP program may be effective in improving smoking attitude and perceived social influence of smoking among those in upper grades of elementary schools. However, the duration and intensity of the ELSP program must be revised to effectively enhance smoking refusal self-efficacy and non-smoking intentions.