Craig Becker, PhD | East Carolina University (original) (raw)

Papers by Craig Becker, PhD

Global Health Promotion, Jul 27, 2022

Survey research is important for understanding health and improving practice among health profess... more Survey research is important for understanding health and improving practice among health professions. However, survey research can have drawbacks, such as overuse and excessively lengthy questionnaires that burden respondents. These issues lead to poor response rates and incomplete questionnaires. Low and incomplete response rates result in missing data and reduced sample size, damaging the value, usability and generalizability of the information collected. To address issues related to response rates and improve health research, shorter surveys are recommended because they impose less of a burden on respondents and are useful with larger populations. Health-related surveys also often focus on the factors leading to ill health without dedicating equal attention to factors supporting positive health. This study developed and tested a short form (SF) of the validated Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS), which measures causes of health (rather than causes of disease), using responses from 2052 college students. The participants answered questions about their demographics and completed the SWPS and a perceived health assessment. Statistical tests demonstrated the SWPS-SF had significant relationships with the full SWPS, health status, and Grade Point Average (GPA). Statistical tests were also used to establish cutoff scores that had a high true positive and low false negative rate. These cutoff scores demonstrated a relationship of higher performance and better health. These promising results suggest this short test can provide valid information without burdening the respondents. Authors recommend additional tests be completed to validate the SWPS-SF.

This study was designed to determine if the Deming approach to monitoring manufacturing processes... more This study was designed to determine if the Deming approach to monitoring manufacturing processes could be successfully adapted to monitoring lifestyle processes. This study tested a new self-monitoring instrument that provides quick, accurate, personal feedback. The usability of this new instrument was tested. Validity of the instrument was established through review by experts in appropriate lifestyle management disciplines.The pilot test of this new instrument was done in a program with a convenience sample of 29 people who used the instrument for 28 days. A high percentage of the participants used the instrument and found the instrument to be helpful in developing a healthy lifestyle, although they desired a less cumbersome format. It is recommended that the instrument be adapted for use in lifestyle change programs.Institute for WellnessThesis (M.S.

American journal of health education, Apr 4, 2019

Though the U.S. health care system is among the best in the developed world, access to chronic ca... more Though the U.S. health care system is among the best in the developed world, access to chronic care remains a problem for many, in part, because the system is not ideally suited to treat long-term conditions. Consequently, economic and societal costs associated with chronic disease are rising rapidly. To complement traditional pathogenic chronic disease management strategies, Health Education specialists should consider incorporating salutogenic methods that promote chronic wellness. We define chronic wellness as persistent, positive conditions enabled through engagement in health-causing actions. This commentary proposes a public health tree model that seeks to nurture inclusive interactions in a health-promoting ecosystem that fosters chronic wellness: Assessment (ie, "roots" of public health interventions that appraise idealized health outcomes), policy development (ie, "trunk" of public health that helps support positive health outcomes), research and evaluation (ie, "branches" of evidence-based public health that apply scientific methods to engage and learn about health in community, school, health care, and organizational settings), and assurance (ie, "leaves" that reinforce policies to nurture continually improving environmental determinants of health). Adopting a public health tree model could lead to more efficient and effective services for many, including those at risk of devloping or living with chronic disease.

The Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 2021

Students with disabilities comprise a significant portion of college students and helping more st... more Students with disabilities comprise a significant portion of college students and helping more students with disabilities succeed would be beneficial. Currently, colleges have successfully offered assistance to these students, and it has enhanced their ability to both attend and succeed in college. However, students with disabilities are less likely to access available resources through the Department of Disability Support Services once enrolled in college and are less likely to complete their education once started. Improved ability to manage life and school has been cited as important factors related to success at college for all students. Disabilities make managing life and school an even more pressing issue. This exploratory pilot study assessed whether Disability Support Services undergraduate students' grit, resilience, satisfaction with life, wellness, and perceived health were associated with higher grade point averages. Findings indicated that better health was associated with higher grade point averages. Significant relationships were also found between frequency of engagement in health behaviors by students with disabilities and their resilience, grit, and life satisfaction. These findings suggest that Disability Support Services should work with students to manage and develop general health promoting lifestyle habits and encourage students with disabilities to access available resources.

Journal of sport behavior, 2015

Traditional sport participation has been associated with improved physical, psychological, and so... more Traditional sport participation has been associated with improved physical, psychological, and social skill outcomes. Engagement in action sports has increased considerably since the late 1980s, yet associated research is limited. This study examines and compares young adults' health and their participation in action sports, traditional sports, both sports types, or in neither of the sports types. Data were collectedfrom 687 traditional public university students who self-reported their sport participation history, frequency and mode. Health was assessed with the young adult Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS-YA). While no significant differences, positive or negative, in overall health benefits between sports types were found, differences in the health behavior across the seven measured domains by sport participation were observed. In all cases, involvement in action or traditional sports was associated with greater health benefits than non-participation suggesting youth should be encouraged to participate in either or both sport typesfor health promotion.

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Mar 1, 2020

Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetabl... more Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and one outcome (body mass index) between 2001-2006 and 2011-2016. Design. Repeated cross-sectional study. Setting. The United States of America. Participants. Noninstitutionalized adults age 24 to 39 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Analysis. We used 2-sample t tests and χ 2 tests to compare differences in health behaviors between the 2 time periods. Results. Data revealed a downward trend in both moderate and vigorous physical activity (P = .00), and fruit and vegetable consumption decreased (P = .003). Cigarette smoking decreased (P = .04), and there was no substantive change in heavy drinking between the 2 time periods. Body mass index was higher in the later time period (P = .00). Conclusion. Despite sustained funding efforts, we found little evidence that health behaviors improved between the 2 time periods. Indeed, many health behaviors have remained the same or worsened over time. These findings suggest the need to reflect on the appropriateness of the health promotion approaches being used.

American Journal of Health Studies, 2020

Health has been shown to influence academic performance and self-regulation can have a positive i... more Health has been shown to influence academic performance and self-regulation can have a positive influence on learning and health. This study investigated student usability and teacher feasibility of the Scholar Checklist tool for early childhood education and health. This study was a two-phased study, at a Division 1 university child development center. The study developed and tested the Scholar Checklist (SC) education tool with students and teachers. Phase one focused on student usability and phase two focused on teacher feasibility. Observations over multiple days by teachers and researchers collected baseline data. Teachers and researchers then collected and analyzed data about its usability and feasibility. Researcher observations, teacher perceptions, and teacher feedback suggested promising student usability and teacher feasibility of the Scholar Checklist in the education process.

Journal of American College Health

The Journal of General Education, 2008

Revisions of general education curricula have been ongoing as universities strive to meet the gen... more Revisions of general education curricula have been ongoing as universities strive to meet the general education goal of helping students succeed (Glynn, Aultman, & Owens, ). e importance of health status with regard to the future health potential of college students and the impact the college years have on their health has been highlighted in the American College Health Association-Healthy Campus  document (). Research has demonstrated the relationship between student health and academic performance (Pritchard & Wilson, ). Findings highlight the negative eff ects that substance abuse, emotional issues, and risky sexual behaviors have on academic performance (Marlatt & Witkiewitz, ;

Health Professionals are needed to address and improve health status. This paper presents a teach... more Health Professionals are needed to address and improve health status. This paper presents a teaching technique that will help students acquire and develop applied health education and promotion skills. This paper introduces a 7C Framework to encourage teachers to use Challenge, Courage, Commitment, Competence, Connection, Contribution, and Consequences. The results of three innovative student initiated health promotion projects, provoked by these methods, are provided as evidence of its effectiveness. The innovative 7C framework provides a preparatory framework educators can use to help future health professionals not just meet, but exceed expectations.

A medical school at a Southeastern university implemented a tobacco free policy to promote a heal... more A medical school at a Southeastern university implemented a tobacco free policy to promote a healthy environment for its employees, patients, and visitors. Eighteen months post policy implementation, undergraduate students in the Department of Health Education and Promotion evaluated the satisfaction, awareness, and perceived compliance/enforcement of this policy. To evaluate the policy, students collected 292 responses from a cross-sectional survey, conducted interviews with those implementing the policy, and conducted observations on campus. Results suggest improved awareness, satisfaction, and enforcement of a policy are related to effectiveness and that the student project helped students understand the importance and value of program evaluation.

Journal of Health Education, 2016

Background: Shorter validated health assessment tools are needed. The validated 25-item Salutogen... more Background: Shorter validated health assessment tools are needed. The validated 25-item Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS) measures health status through assessment of engagement in multidimensional health behaviors. Purpose: To do an initial assessment of the Short Form Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS-SF). Methods: A convenience sample of 91 college students completed an online survey that included, the SWPS, the SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Survey) and the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9). Correlation analyses among these scales were completed. In addition, a chi-square test was performed to examine the characteristics of SWPS-SF including sensitivity and specificity in predicting GPA. Results: There were significant relationships between SWPS-SF and the SWPS and the SWLS. The association between the SWPS-SF and PHQ-9 was not significant (r = −.20, p = .052). Analysis indicated that participants scoring over the 20.5 cutoff on the SWPS-SF were four times ...

Electronic Green Journal, Dec 1, 2014

eScholarship provides open access, scholarly publishing services to the University of California ... more eScholarship provides open access, scholarly publishing services to the University of California and delivers a dynamic research platform to scholars worldwide.

American Journal of Health Education, 2015

Background: From 1990 to 2050, the population aged 60 years and older will rise from 9% to 21%. H... more Background: From 1990 to 2050, the population aged 60 years and older will rise from 9% to 21%. Healthy aging initiatives are vital to promote individual, community, and global well-being during this transformation. Accurate health measurement tools are needed to successfully guide strategies and plot progress. The validated multi-dimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS) measures health and has demonstrated that increased engagement in measured health-promoting behaviors relates to improved health, higher life satisfaction, and fewer problems. Methods: To extend existing work to the growing older adult population, an older adult version of the SWPS(-OA), a perceived health assessment, satisfaction with life survey (SWLS), and a depression scale (Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression, CES-D) were pilot tested with 6 groups (N = 218) of older adults. Results: Data produced a Cronbach's alpha of 0.933, significant positive correlations between the SWPS-OA and health (r = 0.955, n = 218, P < 000) and with life satisfaction (r = 0.715, n = 218, P < 000) and a significant negative correlation between SWPS-OA and depression (r = − 0.867, n = 218, P < 000). Discussion: This pilot test suggests that the SWPS-OA holds promise as a psychometrically sound tool to assess, evaluate, and promote older adults' health. Translation to Health Education Practice: Using the SWPS-OA to assess and evaluate lifestyles of older adults can help health professionals develop a plan to improve health and quality of life of older adults which research has shown also helps prevent and avoid problems such as chronic diseases.

Preventive medicine, Jan 8, 2017

While clean indoor air legislation at the state level is an evidence-based recommendation, only l... more While clean indoor air legislation at the state level is an evidence-based recommendation, only limited evidence exists regarding the impact of clean indoor air policies on state smoking prevalence. Using state smoking prevalence data from 1997 to 2010, a repeated measures observational analysis assessed the association between clean indoor air policies (i.e., workplace, restaurant, and bar) and state smoking prevalence while controlling for state cigarette taxes and year. The impacts from the number of previous years with any clean indoor air policy, the number of policies in effect during the current year, and the number of policies in effect the previous year were analyzed. Findings indicate a smoking prevalence predicted decrease of 0.13 percentage points (p=0.03) for each additional year one or more clean indoor air policies were in effect, a predicted decrease of 0.12 percentage points (p=0.09) for each policy in effect in the current year, and a predicted decrease of 0.22 per...

Recreational Sports Journal, 2009

Graduation rates, academic success, and health status are top priorities of universities related ... more Graduation rates, academic success, and health status are top priorities of universities related to student success. Overall it has been found that students academically and socially integrated to the campus are more likely to remain in college and graduate. This article presents a strategy and results of a study that analyzed the overall relationship Student Affairs programs had with student GPA and health status. The goal of this research was to discover what helps students thrive, not just survive at school. To study thriving, the theoretical model of salutogenesis was adapted to investigate factors related to student success as measured through academic performance and health status. Using electronically collected data from a sample of 691 students, the results of relationships between student engagement in Student Affairs programs, student academic performance, and health status have been reported. Emphasis areas for student affairs programs are suggested.

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