Browsing by Author "Abraham, Samuel P."

Christian family life affects the entire family, including students once they leave home. The purpose of this study was to determine college students’ perception of the influence of family on health. This was a cross-sectional, non-experimental study with a descriptive design. The study included 120 college students in a faith-based institution. Each student completed a Likert-type survey that pertained to their perception of health, and the degree of influence peers and family have on their health. The data analysis showed that college students perceive family influence on stress, spiritual health, and peer association to be influenced by the family. The social learning theory was used to guide the process of this study.

The purpose of this cross-sectional, nonexperimental descriptive design study was to determine college students’ perception of family influence impacting their health and lifestyle. The sample included 120 college students in a faithbased institution and each student completed a Likert-type survey (4-point agreement scale) that investigated their perception of health, and the degree of influence peers and family had on their health. This second data analysis reports correlations between variables and group differences related to health perceptions and behaviours. The strongest correlation is between ‘family demonstration of positive health habits’ and ‘personal health practices being like my families’ (r = 0.671, p < 0.01), a moderate relationship supported by other weaker positive correlations to specific health outcomes. Negative correlations between ‘my friends display more positive health habits than family’ and both ‘family has influenced my idea of health’ and ‘my health practices are similar to my family’ indicate the potential for other contextual factors to effect family impact. While differences relating to health influence and outcomes between groups formed by age, gender, ethnicity, family structure and religion were found, the variable related to most healthy lifestyle transmission elements was ‘My family demonstrates positive health habits’. Recommendations supporting improved societal health are offered, together with suggestions for further research. Group classifications that are fixed but might inform interactions with elements of cohorts are identified, together with group memberships which might be changed to enhance health options. Caution in the generalisation of these findings is advised due to the explained limitations of this study.

Short-term international mission trips (STIMTs) are increasing in popularity. Likewise, educators and health care workers are increasingly concerned with obtaining an understanding that improves culturally competent care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of participants of a Christian college who travelled on a short-term international mission trip (STIMT). One openended inquiry guided the interviews: How would you describe your experience as a participant who travelled on a STIMT? An in-depth, oneon- one interview of participants occurred until data saturation was reached. Colaizzi’s strategy was used to analyze and organize the data. Leininger’s sunrise model was used to guide this study. Themes that emerged from this study included cultural adaptation, relationships, spiritual factors, and personal gain.