Are effects from a brief multiple behavior intervention for college students sustained over time?

Chudley E.(Chad) Werch, Michele J. Moore, Hui Bian, Carlo C. DiClemente, I. Chan Huang, Steven C. Ames, Dennis Thombs, Robert M. Weiler, Steven B. Pokorny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: This study examined whether 3-month outcomes of a brief image-based multiple behavior intervention on health habits and health-related quality of life of college students were sustained at 12-month follow-up without further intervention. Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted with 303 undergraduates attending a public university in southeastern US. Participants were randomized to receive either a brief intervention or usual care control, with baseline, 3-month, and 12-month data collected during fall of 2007. Results: A significant omnibus MANOVA interaction effect was found for health-related quality of life, p = 0.01, with univariate interaction effects showing fewer days of poor spiritual health, social health, and restricted recent activity, p's < 0.05, for those receiving the brief intervention. Significant group by time interaction effects were found for driving after drinking, p = 0.04, and moderate exercise, p = 0.04, in favor of the brief intervention. Effect sizes typically increased over time and were small except for moderate size effects for social health-related quality of life. Conclusion: This study found that 3-month outcomes from a brief image-based multiple behavior intervention for college students were partially sustained at 12-month follow-up.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)30-34
Number of pages5
JournalPreventive Medicine
Volume50
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • Brief intervention
  • College students
  • Image
  • Long-term effects
  • Multiple behaviors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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