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Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model of persuasive communication, the authors examine the impact of the perceptions of the instructor or source on students' receptivity to a new substance abuse prevention curriculum. Using survey data from a cohort of students participating in the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Study, the authors use structural equation modeling to determine the effects of the perceptions students have of their program instructor on measures of the targeted program mediators and the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. They test these instructor effects after each component of a two-part curriculum is administered (during the seventh and ninth grades). They find that the perceptions of the instructor significantly affect refusal, communication and decision-making skills, normative beliefs, perceived consequences of use, and substance use. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for school-based prevention programming and indications for further research. (Contains 10 notes and 3 tables.)

Lack of knowledge contributes to disparate outcomes among Americans with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study assessed the impact of an educational intervention on disease knowledge and management in Black Americans with asthma or COPD.Pre-post study design with 9-month follow-up.Urban church community.Black American adults (N = 38) with self-reported asthma (18) and COPD (20), of which 76.3% (N = 29) completed the intervention.The Asthma COPD (ACOPD) Workshop consisted of three 1-hour classes focused on disease knowledge and management behaviors (physical activity, nutrition, and avoiding triggers) delivered in 16 sessions over six months.Knowledge questionnaire.McNemar’s tests for paired proportions.Knowledge of disease concepts increased post-intervention, then decreased at the 9-month follow-up. There was a significant difference in the proportion of participants that provided correct answers to questions about ‘two diseases that constitute COPD’ (P = .04), ‘main cause of COPD’ (P = .01), 'written action plan' (P = .04), and 'untrue statement about asthma,' (P = .02).The ACOPD Workshop increased knowledge of basic disease concepts, risk factors, and management. Regular delivery of educational sessions in the community can support knowledge retention and practice of healthy behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]