Dissertation Abstract

A Holistic Wellness Inoculation Model: A Validity Study.

The present study was used to: (1) identify lifestyle factors that most commonly place employees' health at risk, (2) discover what aspects of wellness programs are important to employees, and (3) develop a manual for trainers to use in helping employees become better heath consumers. The study involved a total of 30 participants from three site areas: a financial institute, a school system, and a product-service oriented company. Stratified purposeful sampling was used at each site to obtain volunteers. This method of sampling was used in order to identify possible subjects of low, medium, and high levels of wellness.

The Wellness Checkpoint software by InfoTech, Inc. was chosen to assess personal health risks by reviewing lifestyle and family health risk factors. A comparative analysis was used based on the consolidation of information by group and by site. Free-form questions were created to identify (1) how participants define good health, (2) what programs they have tried, and (3) what programs they are willing to try. The results of the health risk appraisal show that participants' highest risk areas are stress, exercise, eating, weight, and smoking. These results demonstrate their actual needs. The answers show they perceive they need and are willing to participate in exercise/fitness, stress management, nutrition, weight control, and general wellness programs. Of the four participants who smoke, only two showed a willingness to participate in smoking cessation classes. Stress, exercise, diet, and smoking awareness are the areas that have been identified as necessary components to include in a general wellness trainer's manual.

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