Virtual world for helping teens practice assertiveness skills

Kenneth Nemire; Joshua Beil; Ronald W. Swan

doi:10.1117/12.349405

24 May 1999 Virtual world for helping teens practice assertiveness skills

Kenneth Nemire, Joshua Beil, Ronald W. Swan

Proceedings Volume 3639, Stereoscopic Displays and Virtual Reality Systems VI; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349405
Event: Electronic Imaging '99, 1999, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Smoking is on the rise among adolescents. This pilot project combined the well-documented benefits of Life Skills Training (LST) with the unique multisensory, 3D qualities of virtual environment (VE) technology to address some of the disadvantages of traditional prevention programs by engaging teens better, presenting information more persuasively, and making prevention programs continuously available in computer labs. In an eight-week pilot study, 45 seventh- grade students were randomly assigned to LST, VE, or non- intervention control groups. The VE system included goggles, synthesized speech, head and hand trackers, hand-held controller, and speech recognition. Questionnaires measured participants' smoking knowledge and behavior,a participants' reports on the usability of the VE system, and reports of simulator sickness symptoms. Structured interviews with randomly selected participants from each group revealed more detailed information. Data indicated the VE group retained more information and had more positive experiences learning about dangers of smoking and assertiveness skills than did the LST group. Usability data showed ease of use and learning of the VE system, with no significant symptoms of simulator sickness. These data indicated that this VE application is a promising tool for keeping teens healthy.

Citation Download Citation

Kenneth Nemire, Joshua Beil, and Ronald W. Swan "Virtual world for helping teens practice assertiveness skills", Proc. SPIE 3639, Stereoscopic Displays and Virtual Reality Systems VI, (24 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349405

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