Examining the impact of a health promotion peer education programme on adolescents’ self-esteem, peer relationship culture and motivation

Abstract

Fostering positive self-esteem is key to promoting healthy behaviour in adolescents. Adolescents need to be taught to recognise negative inner voices, challenge them and replace them with positive reinforcements. Providing opportunities for peer and emotional support is also key to promoting positive self-esteem. We plan to develop a peer educator health promotion programme to create a viable peer educator model, supported by measures of effectiveness. The proposed peer educator health promotion model programme is called 'The Way to Go' and will target a group of high school youth.  The peer educators are health science students currently studying for a degree in health visitors. The programme is based on three interrelated themes: self-awareness, peer relationships and motivating life goals.  Our study presents the literature that supports the rationale for the proposed programme.