Chapters in Narratives: Evidence From Oral Histories of the First Year in College

Abstract Thirty college students provided 20-min oral accounts of their first year in college. One week later, each participant divided a typed transcript of his or her memory narrative into self-defined chapters. Two independent coders also "chapterized" all 30 narratives according to their own self-defined criteria. There was considerable agreement among coders and participants in both the number of chapters per narrative and the location of chapter breaks within the narrative. The chapters were approximately the same length as written individual memories obtained in earlier questionnaire studies using similar subjects. In follow-up interviews about the chapterizing process, men were more likely than women to define memory chapters by topics, whereas women were more likely than men to define chapters by emotions. Although the overall incidence of specific memo-ries in the oral histories was low, specific memories were overrepresented in opening chapters and they tended to occur in close proximity to each other throughout the narratives. The memory chapter appears to be a useful and meaningful unit for detailed analysis of extended narratives. (Psychology)

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A Hybrid Evaluation-Optimization Trial to Evaluate an Intervention Targeting the Intersection of Alcohol and Sex in College Students and Simultaneously Test an Additional Component Aimed at Preventing Sexual Violence

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kaab003 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda E Tanner ◽

Kate M Guastaferro ◽

Kelly L Rulison ◽

David L Wyrick ◽

Jeffrey J Milroy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Detectable Effect ◽

First Year ◽

Behavioral Strategies ◽

Single Experiment ◽

First Year College ◽

First Year College Students

Abstract Background Using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST), we previously developed and optimized an online behavioral intervention, itMatters, aimed at reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among first-year college students by targeting the intersection of alcohol use and sexual behaviors. Purpose We had two goals: (a) to evaluate the optimized itMatters intervention and (b) to determine whether the candidate sexual violence prevention (SVP) component (included at the request of participating universities) had a detectable effect and therefore should be added to create a new version of itMatters. We also describe the hybrid evaluation-optimization trial we conducted to accomplish these two goals in a single experiment. Methods First year college students (N = 3,098) at four universities in the USA were individually randomized in a hybrid evaluation-optimization 2 × 2 factorial trial. Data were analyzed using regression models, with pre-test outcome variables included as covariates in the models. Analyses were conducted separately with (a) immediate post-test scores and (b) 60-day follow-up scores as outcome variables. Results Experimental results indicated a significant effect of itMatters on targeted proximal outcomes (norms) and on one distal behavioral outcome (binge drinking). There were no significant effects on other behavioral outcomes, including the intersection of alcohol and sexual behaviors. In addition, there were mixed results (positive short-term effect; no effect at 60-day follow-up) of the SVP component on targeted proximal outcomes (students’ self-efficacy to reduce/prevent sexual violence and perceived effectiveness of protective behavioral strategies). Conclusions The hybrid evaluation-optimization trial enabled us to evaluate the individual and combined effectiveness of the optimized itMatters intervention and the SVP component in a single experiment, conserving resources and providing greatly improved efficiency. Trial Registration NCT04095065.

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Factors that predict weight gain among first-year college students

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896919865758 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 94-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zi Yan ◽

Alexandra Harrington

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Self Report ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

First Year ◽

Environmental Barriers ◽

First Year College ◽

First Year College Students

Aim and objectives: In the USA, undergraduate students gain more weight in the first year in college than at any other point in their lives. However, the factors that predict their weight gain are unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictors of weight gain among first-year college students at a US college over a 3-month period. Design: Correlational longitudinal study using baseline and follow-up self-report survey data. Setting: A private college in the Northeastern USA. Methods: A total of 110 first-year college students were invited to complete both baseline and follow-up surveys 3 months apart. The baseline survey examined participants’ knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes, intentions and practices regarding physical activity, diet and stress management. The follow-up survey evaluated barriers to diet and exercise practices. Results: Knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behavioural practices did not predict weight change. However, students who gained weight perceived significantly more personal and environmental barriers than those who did not change weight on the following variables: lack of motivation to exercise, no time to eat healthily, perception of lack of healthy food options and impact of bad weather on exercise. Conclusion: Even living in the same college environment, students perceive environmental barriers differently, which was associated with body weight gain. Health education and promotion professionals should guide students to overcome barriers to healthy eating and exercise, as well as making the campus environment more conducive to healthy behaviour.

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