Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

This two- pronged study focused on the testing of the factor structure of the Multi-Dimensional Wellness Inventory and, comparisons between student-athletes (SAs) and non-athletes (NAs) as well as first (FGs) and non-first generation students (NFGs). Part I tested the construct validity of the instrument using confirmatory factor analysis (n = 1699). Part II compared wellness scores among SAs, NAs, FGs and NFGs using independent samples t-tests (n = 990). Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in five of nine wellness constructs with SAs having higher Exercise scores. FGs did not have statistically significant different scores than NFG and FG-SAs versus NFG-SAs showed no statistically significant differences. Outcomes demonstrate that a multi-dimensional approach is imperative within the college population regardless of their involvement in athletics and their first generation/non-first generation designation. Translation to Health Education Practice: The study is significant to college wellness educators for evaluation purposes to gauge students’ multi-dimensional wellness status.