ผลของโปรแกรมการเสริมสร้างความรู้และทักษะชีวิตเพื่อการป้องกันตัวเองต่อการคุกคามทางเพศของนักเรียนหญิงระดับชั้นมัธยมศึกษาตอนต้น

Tuangrat Chanthipmanee; Lita Khiewnu; Wikanda Manosaen; Apichet Jumneansuk; Phitchasuda Dechboon; Rattanaporn Arsa; Anongnat Pansathin; Tanatas Pudpong; Arnon  Jinwongpo

Authors

Tuangrat Chanthipmanee Intermedical Care and Lab Hospital, Pathum Thani
Lita Khiewnu Prachathipat Hospital, Pathum Thani
Wikanda Manosaen Mab Khae Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital, Nakhon Pathom
Apichet Jumneansuk Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage
Phitchasuda Dechboon Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage
Rattanaporn Arsa Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage
Anongnat Pansathin Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage
Tanatas Pudpong Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage
Arnon Jinwongpo Faculty of Public Health, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage

Keywords:

sexual harassment, high school students, life skills, health belief model, self-protection

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual harassment poses a growing threat to adolescent development. Female junior high school students are particularly vulnerable, experiencing emotional distress such as depression, anxiety, and reduced self-confidence that affects their academic performance, quality of life, and social relationships.

Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of a knowledge and life skills enhancement program designed to strengthen self-protection against sexual harassment among female junior high school students.

Methodology: Employing a one-group pretest-posttest quasi- experimental design, this study involved 33 female junior high school students from a school in Pathum Thani Province who were selected using a stratified random sampling method; data were collected during October 2024. Participants completed a 4-week knowledge and life skills enhancement program based on the Health Belief Model, comprising 4 activities. Data collection utilized a knowledge questionnaire and a life skills questionnaire administered before and after program participation, with analysis performed using paired sample t-test.

Results: A total of 33 female junior high school students, baseline characteristics were 14.03 ± 0.68 years old, grade M1 30.3%, M2 36.4%, M3 33.3% and mean GPA 3.46 ± 0.38. Following program participation, students demonstrated significant improvements in mean knowledge scores, pretest 13.09 ± 2.04, posttest 15.79 ± 0.49, (p < 0.001) and mean life skills scores, pretest 5.21 ± 1.22, posttest 6.94 ± 0.24, (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The program demonstrated an effective in enhancing both knowledge and life skills for preventing sexual harassment among female junior high school students. These findings offer teachers and parents a framework for developing educational activities in schools and communities that strengthen students' capacity for self-protection against sexual harassment.

References

UNICEF. Hidden in plain sight: A statistical analysis of violence against children [Internet]. New York: UNICEF; c2014 [updated 2014 Sep 4]. Available from: https://data.unicef.org/resources/hidden-in-plain-sight-a-statistical-analysis-of-violence-against-children/

World Health Organization. Guidelines on Preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in developing countries [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; c2011 [updated 2011 Jan 1]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241502214

Chiodo D, Wolfe DA, Crooks C, Hughes R, Jaffe P. Impact of sexual harassment victimization by peers on subsequent adolescent victimization and adjustment: a longitudinal study. J Adolesc Health. 2009;45(3):246-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.01.006.

Devries KM, Child JC, Allen E, Walakira E, Parkes J, Naker D. School violence, mental health, and educational performance in Uganda. Pediatrics. 2014;133(1):e129-37. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-2007.

Mitchell KJ, Ybarra ML, Korchmaros JD. Sexual harassment among adolescents of different sexual orientations and gender identities. Child Abuse Negl. 2014;38(2):280-95. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.09.008.

Hill C, Kearl H. Crossing the line: sexual harassment at school [Internet]. Washington DC: American Association of University Women; c2011. Available from: https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2020/03/Crossing-the-Line-Sexual-Harassment-at-School.pdf

Stoltenborgh M, van Ijzendoorn MH, Euser EM, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ. A global perspective on child sexual abuse: meta-analysis of prevalence around the world. Child Maltreat. 2011;16(2):79-101. doi: 10.1177/1077559511403920.

YouGov. One in five Thais have experienced sexual harassment [Internet]. Bangkok: YouGov; 2019 [updated 2019 Aug 6; cited 2024 Nov 20]. Available from: https://yougov.com/articles/24671-one-five-thais-have-experienced-sexual-harassment

UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti. Disrupting Harm in Thailand: Evidence on online child sexual exploitation and abuse [Internet]. Bangkok: UNICEF; c2022 [updated 2022 Feb]. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/thailand/reports/disrupting-harm-thailand

UNICEF Thailand. Thai Government and UNICEF step up efforts to curb disturbing rise in child online sexual exploitation and abuse [Internet]. Bangkok: UNICEF Thailand; c2024 [updated 2024 Feb 8; cited 2024 Nov 25]. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/thailand/press-releases/thai-government-and-unicef-step-efforts-curb-disturbing-rise-child-online-sexual

Office of the Basic Education Commission. Student protection center annual report 2018-2023. Bangkok: Ministry of Education; 2023. [In Thai]

Fineran S, Bennett L. Gender and power issues of peer sexual harassment among teenagers. J Interpers Violence. 1999;14(6):626-41. doi: 10.1177/088626099014006004

Taylor BG, Stein ND, Mumford EA, Woods D. Shifting Boundaries: an experimental evaluation of a dating violence prevention program in middle schools. Prev Sci. 2013;14(1):64-76. doi: 10.1007/s11121-012-0293-2.

Nagamatsu M, Ooshige N, Sonoda N, Niina M, Hara KI. Development of a program to prevent sexual violence among teens in Japan: education using DVD video teaching materials and web-based learning. Environ Health Prev Med. 2021;26(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s12199-021-00964-y.

Rosenstock IM, Strecher VJ, Becker MH. Social learning theory and the Health Belief Model. Health Educ Q. 1988;15(2):175-83. doi: 10.1177/109019818801500203.

Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007;39(2):175-91. doi: 10.3758/bf03193146.

World Health Organization. Life skills education for children and adolescents in schools: Introduction and Guidelines to Facilitate the Development and Implementation of Life Skills Programmes [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; c1997. Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/63552

World Health Organization. WHO policy on preventing and addressing sexual misconduct [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; c2023 [updated 2323 Mar 8]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/WHO-DGO-PRS-2023.4

Mayer RE. Multimedia learning. 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge University Press; 2009.

Ajzen I, Albarracín D. Predicting and changing behavior: A reasoned action approach. In: Ajzen I, Albarracín D, HorniK R, editors. Prediction and Change of Health Behavior: Applying the reasoned action approach. New York: Psychology Press; 2010. p. 3-21.

Bandura A. Social cognitive theory: an agentic perspective. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:1-26. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.1.

Topping KJ. Trends in peer learning. Educ Psychol. 2005;25(6):631-45.

Wolitzky-Taylor KB, Ruggiero KJ, Danielson CK, Resnick HS, Hanson RF, Smith DW, et al. Prevalence and correlates of dating violence in a national sample of adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;47(7):755-62. doi: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e318172ef5f.

Kiredin S. Effects of life skills program on knowledge and life skills to prevent sexual assault in female secondary school students [thesis]. Bangkok: Thammasat University; 2015. [In Thai]

Srithongkun W, Auemaneekul N, Powwattana A, Taechaboonsermsak P. The effects of a lifeskills program with parental supporton sexual abuse prevention of elementary school girls. Journal of Public Health Nursing. 2019;33(Online):1-20. [In Thai]