Health-Related Priorities, Perceptions, and Values of University Students: Implications for Wellness Education

ABSTRACT

Background: University wellness education can have a long-term impact on the health-related knowledge and behaviors of individuals. Moreover, individual perceptions influence the likelihood of participation in health-promoting behaviors. Therefore, understanding college students’ health-related priorities and perceptions may increase the effectiveness of wellness education in university settings. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the health-related priorities, perceptions, and values of college students in the context of wellness-oriented education. Methods: Surveys were administered to undergraduate students enrolled in wellness courses at a liberal arts university. Measures included Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, Perceived Health Competence, Health Values, health priorities, and health behaviors. Results: Students identified stress and mental health as their primary health concerns, over other chronic and infectious diseases. Health was second to happiness among student-identified life values, but increased in relative importance during the semester (P =.03). Students ranking health high in importance were more likely to accomplish personal wellness goals than those who ranked health lower (P =.01). Discussion: Considering the association between values and behaviors, value- and priority-informed wellness education may have an increased impact on health-related behavioral outcomes. Translation to Health Education Practice: College wellness education may benefit from incorporating student-identified health priorities and values into curricula.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.