Tim Dunnagan

Teaching Self-Care Through Mindfulness Practices: The Application of Yoga, Meditation, and Qigong to Counselor Training

Faculty in counseling training programs often give voice to the importance of self-care for students during the training period and into practice after training is completed. However, few programs specifically address this issue in their curricula. To address this perceived need, a course was developed to provide students with (a) personal growth opportunities through self-care practices and (b) professional growth through mindfulness practices in counseling that can help prevent burnout. A focus group assessed course impact on students who reported significant changes in their personal lives, stress levels, and clinical training.

Analysis of a worksite health promotion program's impact on job satisfaction

This study assessed the impact of participation in a health promotion program and engagement in healthy behaviors on job satisfaction. A survey response rate of 70% (n = 1,283) was obtained at a northern state university with an established worksite health promotion program. Significant differences in job satisfaction were obtained by education level, job classification, marital status, dependents, and regular exercise behaviors. No differences in job satisfaction were obtained by health promotion program involvement or any other health behavior other than regular exercise. Results suggest that health promotion programs do not significantly impact job satisfaction. Rather, job design and the psychosocial aspects of the work environment may be more influential in improving job satisfaction. Based on the results of this study, organizations attempting to improve employee health should provide health promotion programs and address the job itself. To improve job satisfaction, attention to the job itself is required.

The Relationship between the Stages of Exercise Adoption and Other Health Behaviors.

Purpose. To examine the relationship between stage of exercise adoption and the practice of other health behaviors. Design. Demographic, socioeconomic, and health behavior data were collected using a cross-sectional mail survey. Data were collected as part of a larger employee benefits research study. Setting. Montana State University-Bozeman, Bozeman, Montana. Subjects. University employees (n = 1269) comprised of 46% men with a mean age of 44 years. Measures. Demographic and socioeconomic data included age, sex, marital status, level of income and education, dependent status, and job classification. Stage of exercise adoption classifications were based on self-reported responses to four exercise statements. The health behaviors included in this study were cigarette and smokeless tobacco use, seat belt use, alcohol use, and use of stress management practices. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if stage of exercise predicted the presence of each of the health behaviors while controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and other health behavior variables. Results. The survey response rate was 68%. Respondents in action exercise stage (p = .0367) were less likely to smoke cigarettes than respondents in precontemplation stage of exercise. Respondents in contemplation (p = .0419), preparation (p = .0060), action (p = .0432), and maintenance (p = .0006) were more likely to use seat belts than respondents in precontemplation. Respondents in maintenance (p = .0059) were more likely to use regular stress reduction techniques than respondents in precontemplation. Conclusions. Although longitudinal research is needed to determine any causal relationships, this research suggests that encouraging individuals to become more involved in exercise could indirectly influence other health behaviors. Hence, exercise could be a possible “gateway” behavior toward healthier lifestyle practices.

Efficacy of the Health Belief Model for Predicting Intention to Pursue Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer

This study examined the Health Belief Model’s efficacy to predict intention to undergo genetic testing for the Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) gene within a rural/frontier setting. Survey data were collected on 558 Southwest Montanan residents. Regression analysis revealed that perceived benefits, including affordability and satisfying curiosity, were the strongest indicators of intention to undergo genetic testing for CRC. Select consumer barriers and cues to action variables were also found to be significant predictors. Collectively the model explained approximately 36% of the variance. These preliminary findings have implications for genetic counselors, health practitioners and health care providers concerned with genetic counseling and addressing the public health issue of CRC.

Alteration of mood state after a single bout of noncompetitive and competitive exercise programs.

This study evaluated the effects of three popular physical activities on the psychological well-being of university students. 44 students in three physical activity classes enrolled in the Fitness for Life Program at Montana State University which included circuit training, weight training, and racquetball were administered the Profile of Mood States scale 5 min. before and 5 min. after one bout of physical activity. Two of the three activities appeared to be associated positively with scores on certain subscales. The results supported positive psychological well-being of students after physical activity. Implications for research are presented.

Comparing changes in health risk factors and medical costs over time.

Purpose. This study was designed to examine the association between health status/behaviors and changes in these measures over time with health costs. Design. This study employed a 6-year (1993–1998) retrospective cohort design to examine the relationship between health indicator variables, health insurance costs, and utilization. The outcome variables of interest were measures of health insurance costs and utilization of health care services. Setting. Public employer located in the northeastern United States. Subjects. In all, 1940 employees were included in the study on the basis of their membership in the worksite health plan and their having complete health indicator data collected during each of the two time periods (1993–1995 and 1996–1998). Measures. The health insurance data were obtained directly from the organizations Third Party Administrator. The health indicator variables included blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and smoking status. Results. At-risk employees had a greater probability of submitting health insurance claims than did no-risk employees in approximately 70% of the 18 Major Diagnostic Codes that were examined. Higher costs were associated with the at-risk classification (mean =

Gender differences in selected dietary intakes and eating behaviors in rural communities in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

3237 and median =

Developing theoretical and environmental policy for underage drinking.

433) over time, and lower costs (mean =

Doing effective evaluations: a case study of family empowerment due to welfare reform

1626 and median =

Helping Families Toward the Goal of Self-Support: Montana's EDUFAIM Program

49) were associated with maintaining a no-risk status over time. Conclusions. These findings support the notions that lower health risk and maintaining a no-risk status over time are associated with lower health insurance costs.