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Dr. Alastuey's poster presentation at the 2008 AAHPERD National Convention

Dr. Lisa Alastuey attended the 2008 AAHPERD National Convention and presented a poster titled "Hurricane Rita: Educator Perceptions of Student and Personal Stress-Related Needs". The convention was held at Ft. Worth from April 8 - 12, 2008. Below are some pictures from the event. Scroll down for a brief abstract of the poster.

 

The poster was based on a study authored by Dr. Alastuey and Dr. Gingiss. The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the impact of the aftermath of natural disasters on the physical and mental health of youth and their educators 6-9 months later. In Spring, 2006, 93 teachers, school nurses and mental health professionals at 12 middle and high schools in Jefferson county completed written questionnaires to ascertain their observations of: 1) Current student behavioral needs; 2) behavioral changes after the hurricane; 3) adequacy of current efforts; and 4) educator stress. Over 75% of students were reported to have a lot/some of the following needs: Truancy/tardiness (88.2%), distractibility/jumpiness/lack of concentration (88%), fighting/violence (87%), substance use - alcohol or other drugs (84.7%), disengagement/apathy (81.4%), and tobacco use (78.6%). Over 50% noted that distractibility/jumpiness/lack of concentration, fighting/violence and truancy/tardiness had increased.

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The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.