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InShape

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

InShape is an intervention aimed at decreasing alcohol, tobacco and drug use and increasing health-related quality of life measures among college students. It was implemented in the fall of 2006, at a university in the Southwest US. After completing a brief behavioral screening, students received a tailored one-on-one consultation with scripted messages by a trained fitness specialist. The consultation was based on the Behavior-Image Model, which uses gain framed messages to illustrate how health promoting behaviors promote salient social and self-images, and loss framed messages to show how health risk behaviors interfere with image outcomes and achievement of health promoting habits. As an immediate follow up to the one-on-one consultation, In Shape participants received a one-page goal plan, which echoed the main points of the consultation. A later follow-up at three months evaluated health behaviors and quality of life outcomes.

Goal / Mission

To reduce drug abuse and increase positive mental and physical health outcomes among college students ages 18-25 years old.

Impact

Tailored health and wellness interventions may reduce risk factors facing college students, while perhaps improving their health-related quality of life.

Results / Accomplishments

A total of 303 college students were randomly assigned to either: (1) the InShape intervention or (2) to receive a fitness brochure as a control. Following the intervention or control, 283 students completed the post-intervention screening. Participants exposed to the brief intervention displayed improvements on alcohol consumption behaviors (p = 0.01), marijuana-use behaviors (p = 0.01), and health-related quality of life (p = 0.02), but not cigarette use, exercise, and nutrition behaviors compared to the control group. The results indicate that the InShape intervention appears to have decreased marijuana consumption, alcohol consumption and driving after drinking, as well as increased sleep and moderate exercise and improved health-related quality of life. In addition, effect sizes were typically two to four times larger for InShape intervention participants than control participants on measures where both groups improved over time.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Brief Programs for Health, LLC
Primary Contact
Chudley Edward Werch, PhD
3595 Forest Bend Terrace,
Jacksonville, Fl 32224
(904) 472-5022
cwerch@preventionpluswellness.com
http://preventionpluswellness.com
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Organization(s)
Brief Programs for Health, LLC
Source
SAMHSA's National Registry Evidence-based Programs and Practices
Date of publication
Oct 2008
Date of implementation
Oct 2006
For more details
Additional Audience
College Students