NCJ Number
225178
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 37 Issue: 10 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 1257-1269
Date Published
November 2008
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined perceptions of an outreach initiative in Australia.
Abstract
Results found that one group, “Treatment,” but not the other, “Comparison” showed reductions in perceived barriers over time, increased intentions to consult a general medical practitioner (GP) for psychological problems, and a significant correlation between intentions and subsequent GP consultations. The study examined perceptions of the “Building Bridges to General Practice” (BBGP) program, an outreach initiative which aims to reduce young peoples’ perceived knowledge- and belief-based barriers to engaging in treatment and to increase their behavioral intentions to consult a general medical practitioner (GP) for physical and psychological problems. It is noted that by increasing intentions, the BBGP program aims to increase actual consultations with a GP for both types of problems. The results also supported the utility of the intervention for improving adolescents’ beliefs, intentions, and behavior related to consulting a GP for physical and psychological problems. The study used a quasi-experimental nested design to evaluate the effect of the intervention in three Australian high schools. Data were derived from 2 groups, a Treatment group of 173 subjects with a mean age of 16 years, and a Comparison group of 118 subjects with a mean age of 15 years. Both groups completed questionnaires of perceived barriers, intentions, and self-reported consultations with a GP. The questionnaires were completed 1 week before the intervention, and then 5 and 10 weeks post-intervention. Tables, references