Impact of college-level courses on self-control: Comparison between a self-management course and a physical exercise course

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of participants (Study 1).

	SM group (n = 87)	PE group (n = 22)	LA (control) group (n = 28)
Gender
Female	51	6	16
Male	36	16	12
Age
Average (SD)	21.85 (1.97)	23.05 (2.19)	21.68 (2.04)
Range (years)	19–26	19–28	19–27

Note. SM = self-management; PE = physical exercise; LA = liberal arts.

Table 2. Syllabus of the self-management course.

Week	Theoretical classes	Behavior modification project
1	Course introduction Ch. 3. Self-Knowledge: Observation and Recording	Target establishment
2	Ch. 2. Forethought: Planning for Success	Pre-assessment
3	Ch. 5. Antecedents	Baseline measurement
4	Ch. 5. Antecedents	Baseline measurement
5	Ch. 8. Developing a Successful Plan	Application of behavioral strategies
6	Ch. 6. Behaviors: Actions, Thoughts, and Feelings	Application of behavioral strategies
7	Ch. 6. Behaviors: Actions, Thoughts, and Feelings	Application of behavioral strategies
8	(Mid-term exam)
9	Ch. 4. The Principles of Self-Direction: Theory and Practice	Application of behavioral strategies
10	Ch. 7. Consequences	Application of behavioral strategies
11	Cognitive Skills of Self-Management	Application of behavioral strategies
12	Behavioral Economics and Applied Behavior Analysis	Application of behavioral strategies
13	Ch. 9. Problem Solving and Relapse Prevention	Application of behavioral strategies
14	Ch. 10. Staying in Control	Application of behavioral strategies
15	Presentation on behavior modification project	Submission of final report
16	(Final exam)

Table 3. Pre- and post-test scores for each variable by group (Study 1).

	SM group (n = 87)		PE group (n = 22)		LA (control) group (n = 28)
	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)
AUC	.68 (.23)	.75 (.20)	.77 (.23)	.79 (.20)	.74 (.23)	.70 (.25)
BIS-11	52.66 (8.57)	49.59 (8.92)	49.23 (8.52)	51.18 (8.07)	49.14 (8.64)	49.82 (8.22)
GRBQ	15.94 (3.84)	18.22 (3.77)	17.00 (4.39)	17.05 (3.70)	17.00 (3.80)	17.25 (3.23)

Note. SM = self-management; PE = physical exercise; LA = liberal arts; AUC = area under the curve; BIS-11 = Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11; GRBQ = the general regulatory behavior questionnaire.

Table 4. Characteristics of participants (Study 2).

	SM group		PE group
	Pre-post completers (n = 47)	FU participants (n = 18)	Pre-post completers (n = 20)	FU participants (n = 12)
Gender
Female	30	11	1	1
Male	17	7	19	11
Age
Average (SD)	21.02 (1.67)	21.72 (1.67)	23.35 (2.43)	23.67 (2.31)
Range (years)	19–25	19–25	19–28	20–28

Note. SM = self-management; PE = physical exercise; FU = follow-up.

Table 5. Pre- and post-test scores for each variable by group (Study 2).

	SM group (n = 47)		PE group (n = 20)
	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)
AUC	.64 (.28)	.79 (.21)	.74 (.27)	.72 (.25)
BIS-11	49.77 (8.28)	47.79 (7.16)	47.10 (7.14)	46.65 (6.32)
GRBQ	29.55 (4.49)	33.60 (4.22)	31.88 (5.06)	32.50 (4.85)

Note. SM = self-management; PE = physical exercise; AUC = area under the curve; BIS-11 = Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11; GRBQ = the general regulatory behavior questionnaire.

Table 6. Pre-, post-, and follow-up test scores for each variable by group from follow-up completers (Study 2).

	SM group (n = 18)			PE group (n = 12)
	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)	FU M (SD)	Pre M (SD)	Post M (SD)	FU M (SD)
AUC	.63 (.26)	.78 (.21)	.77 (.22)	.76 (.28)	.75 (.29)	.76 (.27)
BIS-11	49.11 (10.32)	46.83 (8.61)	46.61 (8.10)	47.50 (8.30)	47.33 (7.17)	49.00 (9.14)
GRBQ	30.39 (4.53)	34.61 (3.53)	33.17 (4.48)	31.46 (4.87)	33.17 (5.02)	30.67 (4.27)

Note. SM = self-management; PE = physical exercise; FU = follow-up; AUC = area under the curve; BIS-11 = Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11; GRBQ = the general regulatory behavior questionnaire.

Table 7. Group differences in self-control and effort required for behavioral change.

	M (SD)		df	t
	SM group	PE group
Exerted self-control	3.96 (.81)	3.75 (.79)	65	.971
Effort toward behavioral change	3.91 (.69)	3.50 (.95)	27.885	1.773

Note. SM = self-management; PE = physical exercise.