Stages of change and possible selves: 2 tools for promoting college health.
When considering health promotion among college students, 2 questions that arise are how to (1) most effectively offer health initiatives and (2) motivate students to participate in these efforts.


OBJECTIVE
In responding to these questions, the author considered 2 health-promotion tools: the transtheoretical model and the concept of possible selves.


METHODS
There were 304 college students who participated in this study.


METHODS
To explore how such information can assist health-promotion planning by determining which behaviors to target and how to match interventions to the overall population's stage of change, the author had students report their stage of change for 6 health behaviors. In addition, to explore possible motivations for moving from the precontemplation to the preparation stage of change, the author had students generate future self-concepts regarding their health (health-related possible selves).


RESULTS
The number of illness-related possible selves cited was significantly related to stage of change for smoking and stress management. For smoking, precontemplators had the fewest number of illness-related possible selves; however, the author observed the opposite for stress management.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings have implications for how the transtheoretical model and the concept of possible selves can serve as useful tools in promoting college health.
Horneffer-Ginter
Karen
K
Holistic Health Care Program, College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA. k.horneffer-ginter@w.mich.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D014495:Universities