Role differences in gatekeeper perceptions of school-based drug and sexuality education programs: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Using a mail survey, we collected data on opinions about school drug/sexuality education from 606 individuals representing 106 junior and senior high education schools in Illinois. Respondents from five role groups (principals, district administrators, school board members, teachers and parents) completed questions regarding perceptions of student risk behaviors and effects of school health programs in four areas: drug/alcohol use, tobacco use, AIDS/STDs and teen pregnancy. For each program area, we analyzed six constructs across respondent groups: perceived seriousness of problem, perceived prevalence of problem, perceived acceptance of school program, perceived program effectiveness on student attitudes and behavior, and satisfaction with school program. To test role differences, MANOVA and random-effects regression model analyses were performed. Significant differences in role perceptions were found for all constructs except perceived program effectiveness on student attitudes. Overall, teachers and parents responded similarly to each other and different from other groups. They tended to be less satisfied with school programs, view programs as less effective and perceive other role groups as less accepting. We discuss the discrepancy in role perceptions in the context attitudes sexuality of diffusion theory, application to designing interventions, and potential impact on school program decisions, implementation and maintenance of change.