The effects of a structured wellness program on physical and mental well-being of public school teachers and staff members

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1986-06-01
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Virginia Tech
Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a four component worksite wellness program on elementary public school teachers and staff members. Fifty-nine volunteers from one elementary school were divided into two groups depending on their availability for participation in either a fall or spring twelve week wellness program. The four intervention components were aerobics, health-related seminars, health-related pamphlets and handouts, and the Governor's (Virginia) Physical Fitness Award Program for School Personnel.

The dependent variable measures for mental well-being included: the General Well-Being Schedule; the Trait Anxiety Subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; and the Brayfield and Rothe Job Satisfaction Index. The following physiological measures were recorded for physical well-being: resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and skinfold calibrations.

Treatment effects were analyzed by t-test for significant differences. The alpha was set at the .05 level. The effects of treatment delayed was determined by frequency counts and cross-tabulation.

There were no statistically significant differences found for any mental well-being measure. Lack of statistically Significant differences were also indicated for resting heart rate recordings and skinfold calibrations. There was a statistically significant difference in systolic (t= -2.01, p> .05) and diastolic (t= -2.01, p> .05) blood pressure measurements. This difference is perceived to be attributed to the training effect found in the aerobex component of the treatment. Lack of statistically significant findings obstructed the opportunity to replicate conclusive findings. The statistically significant differences found for resting blood pressure measurements failed to achieve the same statue in the replication. Participation in treatment activities twelve weeks following extinction failed to meet the paradigm established, but the results indicated almost half (47.3%) of the participants from Group 1 were still involved in wellness activities three months after their program ended.

Although most of the dependent measures failed to achieve statistically significant outcomes, it was concluded from the literature review and documented empirical research that the rationale for implementing wellness programs at the worksite is a prudent endeavor. It is recommended that the treatment be more comprehensive and activity oriented, the dependent variable measures be more sensitive to treatment effect, and that the time span for intervention be expanded.

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