Lifestyle and personality changes of participants on a commercial stress management programme

• Main Author: Kantor, Linda Sara
• Other Authors: Louw, Johann ; Schömer, Helgo
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Research Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13479

Bibliography: leaves 89-101. === The lifestyle and personality changes of 61 participants after a five day stress management programme were assessed. A pre-and post-programme lifestyle questionnaire was developed to investigate changes in areas covered on the programme: nutrition, fitness, health beliefs and behaviour, relationships, work life and coping resources. Participants were requested to complete this questionnaire before the course, and a follow-up questionnaire three weeks and six months after the course. Personality variables measured were Locus of Control, Sense of Coherence, and Type A behaviour. These variables were assessed prior to the course and at the six month follow-up. The effect of these personality variables on lifestyle and lifestyle change was examined. Three weeks after the course, significant changes in the self-reported lifestyle measures of nutrition, health beliefs and behaviour, and fitness were found. From the pretest to the six-month follow-up, significant changes in nutrition, health beliefs and behaviour, and relationships were found. The majority of delegates reported positive attitudes towards goals set on the course after three weeks and six months. No change was demonstrated in personality variables from the pre-test to six months after the course. No relationship was found between personality variables and lifestyle or lifestyle change. Implications for future evaluations, and for stress management programmes in general are highlighted.