An 8-Week Peer Health Coaching Intervention among College Students: A Pilot Randomized Study

Abstract

This study explored the effects of an 8-week peer coaching program on physical activity (PA), diet, sleep, social isolation, and mental health among college students in the United States. A total of 52 college students were recruited and randomized to the coaching (n = 28) or the control group (n = 24). The coaching group met with a trained peer health coach once a week for 8 weeks focusing on self-selected wellness domains. Coaching techniques included reflective listening, motivational interviews, and goal setting. The control group received a wellness handbook. PA, self-efficacy for eating healthy foods, quality of sleep, social isolation, positive affect and well-being, anxiety, and cognitive function were measured. No interaction effects between time and group were significant for the overall intervention group (all p > 0.05), while the main effects of group difference on moderate PA and total PA were significant (p p B = 0.37 and p < 0.05. Peer coaching showed a promising effect on improving PA and positive affect and well-being among college students.

Keywords

• diet
• mental health
• physical activity
• positive affect
• sleep
• stress