Brief multiple behavior interventions in a college student health care clinic.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of brief image-based interventions, including a multiple behavior health contract, a one-on-one tailored consultation, and a combined consultation plus contract intervention, for impacting multiple health behaviors of students in a university health clinic.


METHODS
A total of 155 college students attending a major southern university were recruited to participate in a study evaluating a health promotion program titled Project Fitness during the fall 2005 and spring 2006. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three treatments as they presented at the clinic: 1) a multiple behavior health contract, 2) a one-on-one tailored consultation, or 3) a combined consultation plus contract intervention. Baseline and 1-month post-intervention data were collected using computer-assisted questionnaires in a quiet office within the student health clinic.


RESULTS
Omnibus repeated-measures analyses of variance were significant for drinking driving behaviors, F(2,136) = 4.43, p = .01, exercise behaviors, F(5,140) = 6.12, p = .00, nutrition habits, F(3,143) = 5.37, p = .00, sleep habits, F(2,144) = 5.03, p = .01, and health quality of life, F(5,140) = 3.09, p = .01, with improvements on each behavior across time. Analysis of group-by-time interaction effects showed an increase in the use of techniques to manage stress, F(2,144) = 5.48, p = .01, and the number of health behavior goals set in the last 30 days, F(2,143) = 5.35, p = .01, but only among adolescents receiving the consultation, or consultation plus contract. Effect sizes were consistently larger across health behaviors, and medium in size, when both consult and contract were used together.


CONCLUSIONS
Brief interventions using a positive goal image of fitness, and addressing a number of health habits using a contract and consultation strategy alone, or in combination, have the potential to influence positive changes in multiple health behaviors of college students attending a university primary health care clinic.
Werch
Chudley E Chad
CE
Addictive and Health Behaviors Research Institute, Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida 32216, USA. cwerch@hhp.ufl.edu
Bian
Hui
H
Moore
Michele J
MJ
Ames
Steve
S
DiClemente
Carlo C
CC
Weiler
Robert M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D032982:Contracts; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012890:Sleep; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013333:Student Health Services; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014495:Universities