ERIC Number: EJ968295
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-8756-5943
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Effects of Text Messaging on College Students' Perceptions of Personal Health
Hudson, Heather K.; Bliss, Kadi R.; Fetro, Joyce V.
Health Educator, v44 n1 p28-35 Spr 2012
Four focus groups of undergraduate students (n = 32) were conducted to elicit perceptions regarding how text messaging affects personal health. Participant responses were coded and themed into five health dimensions: physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual. Results of focus groups showed several main themes linked each dimension of health, except for spiritual health. Emergent themes regarding physical health were perceived to be more negative than positive. Perceptions of effects on emotional, social, and mental health were mixed. Social health was consistently impacted the most. Participants favored short-term positive effects of texting, regardless of their potential long-term negative consequences. Participants noted many negative consequences of texting in inappropriate situations. Most, however, admitted to text messaging regardless of how severe they perceived an outcome might be to their health and/or future. Implications for school health and health education include teaching skill-building lessons on decision-making using texting as an example to enable students to make healthier text messaging choices. To acknowledge and enhance positive effects of text messaging, educators can have students demonstrate clear verbal communication skills, which may minimize miscommunication. These practices may help students avoid negative consequences of text messaging and help students communicate more effectively while text messaging. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Verbal Communication, Health Education, Student Attitudes, Focus Groups, Physical Health, Adolescents, Hygiene, Teaching Skills, Communication Skills, Decision Making, Telecommunications, Higher Education
Eta Sigma Gamma Inc. 2000 University Avenue CL 325, Muncie, IN 47306. Tel: 800-715-2559; Tel: 765-285-2258; Fax: 765-285-3210; Web site: http://www.etasigmagamma.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A