The Effect of Experimentally Decreasing Sedentary Behaviour on Subjective Well-being
The Effect of Experimentally Decreasing Sedentary Behaviour on Subjective Well-being
This study will explore the causality between outcomes of subjective well-being and sedentary behavior, through experimentally decreasing the sedentary behavior levels of university students. Half of the eligible participants will receive a behavioral counseling intervention to increase non-sedentary behavior over one week, while the other half will receive no instructions. After one week, all participants will receive no instructions and continue to wear the inclinometer for another week.
The relationship between subjective well-being (SWB) and sedentary behavior (SB) has been briefly explored. However, the causality of the relationship (i.e., do higher levels of SB cause changes in SWB, or vice-versa) has not been fully examined. Experimentally decreasing SB and observing the potential subsequent effect on SWB may help to determine the causation between SB and SWB.
A sedentary sample of full-time university students attending Western University will be recruited. Upon obtaining consent, demographics will be taken. Sedentary behavior will be confirmed objectively through inclinometer wear for 1-week. Upon confirmation of sufficient sedentary time, participants will complete questionnaires assessing past-week: SWB, SB, physical activity, depression, and anxiety questionnaires. Participants will also be randomized to either a behavioral counseling intervention group, or a no-contact control group. Participants will then continue wearing the inclinometer for 1 week. After the intervention week, participants will complete the questionnaires again, after which all participants will be told to continue daily behavior, and wear the inclinometer for another week. Upon completion of this follow-up week, participants will complete questionnaires again.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: