The Prevention of HIV Among Adolescents: A Leisure Education Intervention

Abstract:
This article examines leisure education as a method of HIV prevention among adolescents. Included is a description of leisure education (the acquisition and development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills related to personal leisure participation) and how leisure education is similar to health education (including the development of decision-making skills and identification of community resources). Leisure education revolves around the teaching of alternate activities for adolescents to engage in during non-school hours. This prevention strategy addresses elements such as choice, self-esteem, and decision making that go into a successful substitution of one set of activities for another. These skills will help the adolescent to substitute new leisure activities that can lead to less free and unsupervised time--the period of time when adolescents are most likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Additionally, the authors note that the increase in self-esteem that is often found during leisure activity participation can have a positive effect on sexual decision-making, but they also note that this conclusion is not well documented. Although the article is somewhat abstract and wordy, its emphasis on adolescent choice and skill-building may provide a useful theoretical basis for those considering incorporating 'leisure' into their prevention interventions.

Author(s): RISISKY, Debra; CALDWELL, Linda L.; and FORS, Stuart W.

Publication: Journal of Health Education


Date Published: 11/1/1997

Pages: 7

Location Code: 6256