The Effects of Persuasive Message Reading and Supportive Writing on Juveniles’ Readiness for Protective and Evasive Actions against Domestic Violence in the Community

Abstract

Domestic violence has physical and psychological impacts, as well as a negative effect on the well-being of juveniles in the family. Hence, this experimental research explored the interaction between persuasive message reading, supportive writing, types of punishment, as well as well-being and the juveniles’ readiness for protective and evasive actions against domestic violence in the community. The research was based on a Post Test Only with Control Group Design, dividing into 4 experimental groups with random assignment. The sample was 450 juveniles in Northern communities within 3 provinces including Lamphun, Lampang, and Nan. The research instruments in this research consist of the articles of 1) persuasive message on “the readiness for protective and evasive actions against domestic violence” and 2) control message on “the importance of English learning” the worksheets of 1) supportive writing on “the readiness for protective and evasive actions against domestic violence” and 2) control writing on “the importance of English learning” the assessment on 1) types of punishment, 2) well-being, 3) the readiness for protective and evasive actions against domestic violence, and 4) biosocial background. For the 10-item well-being assessment, the range of t value = 4.27-7.39, the range of r value = 0.34-0.67, and reliability = 0.78. For the 15-item assessment on the readiness for protective and evasive actions against domestic violence, the range of t value = 5.32-9.21, the range of r value = 0.28-0.56, and reliability = 0.81.The findings revealed that 1)the juveniles who read persuasive messages, were physically punished, and rarely had a sense of well-being were readier to perform protective and evasive actions against domestic violence than the juveniles who did not read persuasive messages, were psychologically punished, and had a sense of well-being. This was mostly found among the juveniles who spent a lot of time with their families. 2) The juveniles who wrote supportive writing and rarely had a sense of well-being were readier to perform protective and evasive actions against domestic violence than the juveniles who did not write supportive writing and had a sense of well-being. This was mostly found among the juveniles who consulted other people. The results led to suggestions and practices to develop and encourage juveniles’ readiness for protective and evasive actions against domestic violence in the future.