ERIC Number: EJ1085307
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2333-4851
EISSN: N/A
The Longitudinal Impact of an Undergraduate General Education Wellness Course in Early Adulthood
Polacek, Georgia N.; Erwin, T. Dary; Rau, Jennifer G.
Journal of Health Education Teaching, v4 n1 p 15-23 2013
Purpose: To examine the relationship of general education wellness coursework on wellness behavior and knowledge of students as undergraduates and again four years after graduation. Methods: Participants were 87 college students at a large, southeastern public university. Three administrations of the General Education Wellness Test were conducted with the same participants as freshmen, late sophomores, and as alumni four to five years beyond graduation, spanning nine years. Results: Wellness Behavior increased for participants between freshmen and late sophomore years. Wellness Knowledge increased for participants between freshmen and late sophomore years and again between late sophomore year and as alumni. These changes were the same whether the wellness course was taught from a kinesiology or personal health wellness perspective. Conclusions: This study found that wellness education offered in a general education curriculum has an impact on individuals' wellness; wellness knowledge was retained after graduation. Recommendations: General education wellness courses should be required as part of an undergraduate curriculum.
Descriptors: Longitudinal Studies, Undergraduate Students, General Education, Wellness, Young Adults, Measures (Individuals), Health Behavior, Health Education, Instructional Effectiveness, Retention (Psychology), College Curriculum, National Surveys, Multivariate Analysis
Journal of Health Education Teaching. 9563 Wedge Way, Delmar, MD 21875. Tel: 443-880-0394; e-mail: JofHET@yahoo.com; Web site: http://jhetonline.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A