HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIOURS OF STUDENTS

Health-Related Behaviours of Undergraduate University Students

Students

Table of Contents

Abstract3

Chapter 1: Introduction4

Chapter 2: Literature Review8

Student Health Needs10

Adjustment to life at University10

Student lifestyle13

Support Services16

Health promotion in a University setting17

The role of health promotion campaigns17

Alternative Interventions23

Exposure: Alcohol Assessment26

Outcome: Weight Status and Control27

Outcome: Diet28

Outcome: Activity28

Covariates: Socio-demographics29

Chapter 3: Methodology30

The Alcohol Education Intervention30

Student sample32

Intervention Assignment and Implementation34

The Alcohol Worksheet35

Analysis37

Chapter 4: Discussion and Results39

Alcohol Consumption39

Alcohol expectations and intentions for use40

Chapter 5: Conclusion44

References49

Appendix61

Abstract

Summarizes the results of an evaluation of Health Related Behaviour designed to inform young adults on the physical and behavioural consequences of excessive use of alcohol. The sample of 710 participating undergraduate students was referred to the university because of some violation of code of conduct regarding alcohol use. Of these, 610 students were assigned to use of an alcohol harm reduction computer program versus writing an essay on responsible drinking. Analysis of alcohol expectations found that the software users, as compared to the comparison group, reported significantly more changes in expectations about alcohol post-intervention and intentions to change behaviour towards greater safety and responsibility. Such an approach is potentially (in terms of resources) available on a campus for this type of educational programming and has the advantage of targeting students during a teachable moment introduced through a university sanction. Suggests that computer supported programs might evolve to be an effective method for health education.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Few issues in undergraduate student social life currently have raised as much concern as students' unsafe and irresponsible consumption of alcohol (Winerip, 1998). Alcohol is known to be a major contributing factor for regretted sexual activity, date rape, vandalism, physical violence, and poor academic performance (Wechsler et al., 1998; Wechsler et al., 1999).

The profile of injury and harm related to excessive alcohol use suggests that preventive educational interventions may have an important place in campus life (Hunnicutt et al., 1996). Students are likely to be disposed towards brief and non-intrusive interventions if they are disposed to any alcohol education at all (Werch 1991; Black and Coster, 1996). Targeting students who have received a sanction for alcohol use for an educational experience may be particularly effective in changing students' expectations about alcohol and therefore their behaviour. These students are using alcohol to some degree and have been apprehended for breaking an aspect of the code of conduct. Although they may experience a range of negative consequences from alcohol use, students generally hold positive expectations about the effects of alcohol and do not believe that curbing alcohol consumption is a priority (Posavac, 1993; Hanson and Engs, 1995; Wechsler and Meichun, 2000). Students' discounting of the problems related to alcohol poses a challenge for educational programming. An effective intervention would have to overcome student apathy about the topic of alcohol education and address the individual psychosocial variables predictive of alcohol consumption (Bartholomew et al., 2001).

In the case of young adults' alcohol use, a key determinant or predictor of alcohol consumption would appear to be positive expectations about the effects of alcohol. Individuals who believe that consuming alcohol has more positive effects in ...