Mary A. Glascoff

Validity Evidence for the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS)

OBJECTIVES To test the validity, reliability, and uses of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS). METHODS Self-reported (n = 2140) demographic and scale data from a large university (23,000+ students) were collected and analyzed. Dependent measures included grade point average (GPA) and perceived health. RESULTS Analyses confirmed the SWPSs 7-factor multidimensional structure and its use for describing and predicting associated outcomes. The analyses of frequency distributions, means, correlations, and regressions found significant relationships between measured health behaviors, perceived health, and GPA. CONCLUSIONS The SWPS provides valid and reliable information about positive health potential for research and field health professionals.

Designated-driver programs: college students' experiences and opinions

We investigated the experiences and opinions of college students regarding the use of designated drivers. Although using designated drivers appeared to be common, results indicated that in many instances the designated driver did not abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. The opinions of the participants indicated that the nondrivers in a drinking group may in fact drink more when there is a designated driver. Our findings lead us to question the overall value of currently practiced designated-driver programs for college student drinkers. Developing programs on how to be a designated driver are among our recommendations.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Positive Health Scale

Abstract Background: Health educators have long advocated health promotion, yet their health measurement techniques have a pathogenic focus. Pathogenesis refers to the origin of a disease and the chain of events (precursors) leading to that disease. Traditional health measurement tools with this focus therefore measure health by assessing for the absence of disease or associated risk factors. Salutogenesis, as proposed by Aaron Antonovsky, refers to associated factors and precursors of good health similar to how pathogenesis focuses on associated factors and precursors of bad health. Purpose: This study proposes a health measurement scale with a salutogenic focus that measures health by assessing for the multidimensional capacity or potential for good health. Methods: Two samples of university students (N=226, N=365) were surveyed to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS). Results: The SWPS demonstrated a multidimensional structure with good internal consistency, that positively correlated with and predicted perceived health (p<.001), and did not invoke socially desirable responses. Discussion: The SWPS demonstrated preliminary evidence of reliability and validity in its measurement of health potential. Translation to Health Education Practice: Using the SWPS could assist health educators in developing methodologies and practices that facilitate improved health status.

Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of an Adult Version of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS)

Abstract Background: Traditional health measurement tools use a pathogenic, or disease origins framework, to assess for the absence of disease or risk factors. Good or positive health, however, is more than the absence of disease and current tools do not reflect this. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the adult version of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS), a tool designed to measure positive health. Methods: Building on the previously validated young adult version of the SWPS, new scale items were developed for working adults. A sample of 304 administrative, academics, and staff personnel tested the psychometric properties of the adult version of the SWPS. Results: The SWPS demonstrated it had a seven factor multidimensional structure, had good internal consistency, and was positively correlated with perceived health (p<.0001) and life satisfaction (p<.001). Validity was also supported by negative correlations between the SWPS and both a depression and symptom measure. Discussion: The SWPS demonstrated good evidence of reliability and validity and fills a positive health status assessment need. Translation to Health EducationPractice: Using the SWPS with adult populations could assist health educators in their development of effective health promotion practices.

Assessment of Public Health Educator Practice: Health Educator Responsibilities

This study presents a method for better understanding how practicing health educators in local health departments spend their time. The purpose of this study was to document the daily practice of health educators in the 10 areas of responsibility as defined by a competency-based framework for graduate-level health educators. The results of the current study present the average percentage of time health educators spent carrying out each area of responsibility and the percentage of health educators that did not carry out activities related to a specific area of responsibility. For example, the greatest percentage of time was spent implementing programs (21.2%), and approximately 60% of the health educators in the sample did not conduct research nor did they participate in activities to advance the profession. These findings have implications for the professional preparation of health educators and for their continuing education. The current study contains several suggestions for future research in this area.

Gender-Specific Changes in Students' Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes at a Southeastern University between 1973 and 1988

This study investigated the gender-specific, self-reported sexual behaviors and attitudes of never-married college students attending a southeastern university in 1973 and 1988. Data were collected by means of a mailed questionnaire that remained essentially unchanged for both years. The authors found that both men and women reported an increase in heterosexual relationships that included sexual intercourse and a decrease in nonsexual relationships with the other gender. The majority of the students perceived themselves as adequately informed about sexuality and satisfied with their relationships, although the proportion of men who reported being satisfied with their relationships declined over the 15 years. The students indicated that sexuality education should focus primarily on information about AIDS and on preparation for marriage.

Process measures: a leadership tool for management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage the use of ongoing process-based measurement methods, specifically, control charts, as a process measurement tool to guide leadership improvement efforts. The work of Deming will be highlighted while providing a review of measurement methods. Design/methodology/approach – Organizational leadership requires inspiring people and creating an environment so everyone can contribute toward the success of the organization. To accomplish this, a leader needs appropriate, real-time information about how to adjust the current situation. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong and then attempting to fix the situation or tamper with the process, management should use process measures to guide improvement efforts. Findings – Real-time process measures guide improvement efforts by the workers and management because it enables them to pay attention to the process while simultaneously performing it. Traditional improvement methods often lead to worse results becau...

Adapting and Using Quality Management Methods to Improve Health Promotion

Although the western world is the most technologically advanced civilization to date, it is also the most addicted, obese, medicated, and in-debt adult population in history. Experts had predicted that the 21st century would be a time of better health and prosperity. Although wealth has increased, our quest to quell health problems using a pathogenic approach without understanding the interconnectedness of everyone and everything has damaged personal and planetary health. While current efforts help identify and eliminate causes of problems, they do not facilitate the creation of health and well-being as would be done with a salutogenic approach. Sociologist Aaron Antonovsky coined the term salutogenesis in 1979. It is derived from salus, which is Latin for health, and genesis, meaning to give birth. Salutogenesis, the study of the origins and creation of health, provides a method to identify an interconnected way to enhance well-being. Salutogenesis provides a framework for a method of practice to improve health promotion efforts. This article illustrates how quality management methods can be used to guide health promotion efforts focused on improving health beyond the absence of disease.

Successfully Promoting Volunteerism by Offering Extrinsic Rewards in a Personal Health Course: A Pilot Study

Abstract Service learning programs are becoming more common on college campuses with community service becoming a requirement at some schools while remaining a volunteer activity at others. The study reported here describes a volunteer community service program administered through the personal health course in the School of Health and Human Performance at a large comprehensive public university in the Southeast. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of providing an extrinsic reward (extra credit points) as an incentive for volunteering. The major findings were that the opportunity to earn extra credit points was a strong incentive for first time volunteers and that the frequency of repeat volunteer behavior was not significantly different regardless of the initial reasons for participation.

Blood Donation and Transfusion: A Primer for Health Educators.

Abstract Advent of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s focused attention on the adequacy and safety of the nations blood supply. Today clinicians assert that the U.S. blood supply is safer than ever before. This paper serves as a primer to health educators on the topic of blood donation and transfusion. Presented are (1) a brief discussion of the nature of human blood, (2) background information on blood transfusion, (3) information about blood donation criteria and the impact of these criteria on the status of the blood supply, (4) a summary of risks related to homologous blood transfusion, (5) a discussion of directed blood donation, (6) a discussion of potential alternatives to homologous transfusion, and (7) a list of resources for education about blood donation and blood transfusion.