THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP STUDENT LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN SMOKING PREVENTION PHETCHABURI RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study employed a quasi-experimental research design with the objectives to 1) examine the effects of a student leadership skill development program for smoking prevention and 2) compare the outcomes of the program before and after participation at Phetchaburi Rajabhat University. The sample consisted of 40 second-year nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing, Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, who volunteered to serve as student leaders. The participants were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to a single experimental group. Data were collected using researcher-developed questionnaires administered before and after participation in the program. The program comprised activities focusing on knowledge about cigarettes, counseling skills, and simulated teaching and counseling situations for smoking prevention. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and comparative statistical methods.

          The results revealed that after participating in the program, the student leaders demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in leadership skills for smoking prevention than before participation at the .001 level in all dimensions, including knowledge about cigarettes, attitudes toward smoking, self-management in smoking prevention, counseling skills, group teaching skills, and health beliefs. Furthermore, the overall effectiveness of instructional management within the program was rated at the highest level, particularly in terms of the use of diverse teaching techniques and technological media, instructional preparedness, and appropriate personality and communication of the instructors. These findings indicate that the student leadership skill development program effectively enhanced the knowledge, skills, and confidence of student leaders, enabling them to apply counseling and educational strategies for smoking prevention in a practical and sustainable manner.