An evaluation of selected driving while intoxicated (DWI) schools in Texas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of DWI schools on knowledge and attitude of different types of drinkers. The Numerical Drinking Profile was employed to classify subjects from 12 DWI classes into the no problem and evident problem drinker groups. Knowledge and attitude were determined with the Knowledge Inventory and Opinion Survey, respectively. In addition to measuring change from the pretest to the posttest, data were gathered twice during the program to analyze the trend in knowledge and attitude during the course. The impact of class size on knowledge and attitude was also examined. The general linear model procedure was used to analyze the data and test six null hypotheses proposed in the study. Both the no problem and evident problem drinker groups showed a significant change in the mean knowledge and attitude gain score, with the evident problem drinker group experiencing the large mean gain. Knowledge gain during the educational program occurred in an upward linear trend; however, there was no pattern for attitude change. Programs with smaller classes showed larger knowledge and attitude gain than those with larger classes. The general conclusion was that DWI programs with smaller class sizes in Texas have a greater impact on the knowledge and attitude of evident problem drinkers than no problem.