Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Older Adults and College Students Participating in Recycling Mentors, a Service-Learning, Environmental Health Education Program

Autor/inn/en	D'Abundo, Michelle Lee; Fugate-Whitlock, Elizabeth; Fiala, Kelly Ann; Covan, Eleanor Krassen
Titel	Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Older Adults and College Students Participating in Recycling Mentors, a Service-Learning, Environmental Health Education Program
Quelle	In: Journal of Health Education Teaching, 4 (2013) 1, S.1-14 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2333-4851
Schlagwörter	Knowledge Level; Older Adults; Recycling; Statistical Analysis; Student Attitudes; Service Learning; Health Education; Computer Software; Mentors; Attitude Change; Consciousness Raising; Independent Study; Environmental Education; Educational Benefits; Behavior Change; Intergenerational Programs; Program Descriptions; Community Role; Likert Scales; Attitude Measures; Undergraduate Students; Intervention; North Carolina + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Wissensbasis; Älterer Erwachsener; Statistische Analyse; Schülerverhalten; Service-Learning; Gesundheitsaufklärung; Gesundheitsbildung; Gesundheitserziehung; Attitudinal change; Einstellungsänderung; Bewusstseinsbildung; Selbststudium; Umweltbildung; Umwelterziehung; Umweltpädagogik; Bildungsertrag; Likert-Skala
Abstract	Purpose: The purpose of this research was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of both students and older adults that participated in a service-learning, environmental health education program called Recycling Mentors (RM). Methods: Surveys were conducted before and after participation in RM. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Specifically, means and standard deviations were calculated for all items excluding demographics. Paired sample t-tests were conducted for student data while two-way ANOVAs were conducted for the older adult data. Results: Pre/post surveys indicated older adult interaction effects were observed for several behaviors: recycling glass and cans outside the home and recycling cans inside the home. Students showed significant increases in the frequency of recycling behaviors for all recyclable items both inside and outside of the home, but no significant knowledge or attitude changes were revealed. Regardless of whether participants were in the intervention or control group, older adults' recycling knowledge increased. This increase likely indicates general raised awareness about recycling for older adults that could have occurred from completing assessments, interactions with students or self-directed learning. Conclusions: Environmentally themed programs like RM seem to be mutually beneficial to students, older adults and the community. Students gained practical experience facilitating a community education program. Both older adults and students changed behaviors that will have a positive impact on the community and environment. Recommendations: Service-learning programs like RM provide excellent opportunities for colleges and universities to serve the community. While RM was successful, additional research is needed to identify ways to promote recycling among people of all ages. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Journal of Health Education Teaching. 9563 Wedge Way, Delmar, MD 21875. Tel: 443-880-0394; e-mail: JofHET@yahoo.com; Web site: http://jhetonline.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01