Date of Award
2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Health and Kinesiology
Department
Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management
First Advisor
Martha Bass
Second Advisor
Linda Keena
Third Advisor
Allison Ford-Wade
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Sexual violence is a serious problem that can have lasting, harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities (CDC, 2014). Approximately one in five women will become a victim of sexual violence at some point in their lifetime (RAINN, 2009). College women are at a greater risk for rape and other forms of sexual assault than women in the general population (Fisher, Cullen & Turner, 2000). During an academic school year, approximately three percent of college women became a victim of sexual violence (Tijaden & Thoennes, 1998). Sorority women are four times more likely to experience sexual violence compared to other college women (Minow & Einolf, 2009). To date, only one study has assessed a sexual violence prevention program targeting sorority women (Moynihan, Banyard, Arnold, Eckstein, & Stapleton, 2011). This study assessed the effectiveness of Safe Sisters, a sexual violence prevention program for sorority women that is based on the Health Belief Model. Four sororities (2 for experimental program group, 2 for comparison group) were recruited via email to organization presidents. The study evaluated Health Belief Model constructs and knowledge, via questionnaires, at two time-points: pre-test and post-test. Of 283 participants contacted, at pretest there were 176 participants (a 62% response rate) and at post-test there were 137 participants (a 48% response rate). Difference in differences regression was used to compare interventions and dependent variables from pre-test to post-test. There was a significant difference in decisional balance (β = .655, 95% CI [.145, 1.16], p =.012), knowledge (β = 2.09, 95% CI [β = 1.55, 2.64], p =.000), and bystander self-efficacy (β = .343, 95% CI [.031, .655], p = .032) from pre-test to post-test. Participants in the treatment group shoa significant increase in knowledge of alcohol as a rape drug and the UWF Sexual Misconduct Policy. There was also significant increase in one's belief that intervening can prevent someone from being hurt. The Safe Sisters program is a promising tool for educating sorority women about sexual violence.
Recommended Citation
Cambron, Alicia Pugh, "Pilot Study Of Safe Sisters: A Sexual Assault Prevention Program For Sorority Women" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 611.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/611
Concentration/Emphasis
Emphasis: Health Behavior