Effects of a Peer Gatekeeper Training Program in Female High School Students

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a peer gatekeeper training program on existential spiritual well-being, interpersonal relationships, depression, and suicidal ideation in female high school students. Participant pool included forty-four female high school students. The study was conducted over a period of three months. To test the effects of the peer gatekeeper training program, participants were divided into two groups, an experimental group (N=22) and a control group (N=22). The program was only conducted with the experimental group, but the survey was administered to both groups. Data were analyzed on SPSS/WIN 22.0 using a chi-squared test, t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and ANCOVA. Existential spiritual well-being and interpersonal relationships were significantly higher in the experimental group (F=14.43, p<.001, F=17.60, p<.001 respectively) and depression were significantly lower (F=4.31, p=.010) as compared with the control group. Findings from this study indicate that peer gatekeeper training programs can be utilized for female high school students and effectively improve their existential spiritual well-being and interpersonal relationships while lowering depression.