ERIC Number: EJ1169491
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Evaluation of a Behavioral Self-Care Intervention for Public Health Students
White, Marney A.; Mayer, Margaret; Vanderlind, W. Michael; Allswede, Dana
American Journal of Health Education, v49 n1 p40-47 2018
Background: Postgraduate education is recognized as a time of intense stress. Rates of anxiety and depression are elevated among graduate students, and longitudinal studies have documented increases in clinical symptoms over the course of training. Purpose: The current study was to evaluate whether an academically sponsored self-care intervention would increase engagement in health promotion activities. The primary goal was to determine whether self-care behaviors completed in the midst of a challenging academic program would prevent the worsening of student mental health. Methods: The self-care intervention included behavior change projects designed to increase health-promoting behaviors within 4 domains (nutrition, physical activity, mental health, social support). Students received incentives in the way of bonus points for maintaining health behaviors for the duration of the 12-week semester. Results: Results revealed significant increases in health-promoting behaviors. Importantly, mental health symptoms did not worsen over the course of the semester. Discussion: The study provides preliminary support for the utility of a brief self-care intervention for students in the health sciences. Translation to Health Education Practice: Future studies should examine the applicability of this intervention to students in other fields of study and through online education formats.
Descriptors: Public Health, Anxiety, Depression (Psychology), Self Management, Behavior Change, Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Graduate Students, Nutrition, Physical Activities, Mental Health, Social Support Groups, Incentives, Program Effectiveness, Questionnaires, Behavior Problems, Risk, Statistical Analysis, Intervention
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Connecticut
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A