UWorkItOut UWin Program: A RE-AIM Framework Program Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Exercise Psychology
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• University students face significant mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
• The UWorkItOut UWin program is a 6-week intervention combining exercise training and counseling.
• A process evaluation is crucial to assess the program's real-world effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a process evaluation of the UWorkItOut UWin program using the RE-AIM framework.
• To assess the program's Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance.
• To understand the program's impact on university students' mental health and physical activity.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method quasi-experimental pretest-posttest single group design was employed.
• Sixty participants completed surveys, exercise logs, physical activity questionnaires, and exit interviews.
• Data were analyzed across the five dimensions of the RE-AIM framework.

Main Results:

• The program demonstrated high adherence (Reach) and significant improvements in mental health, including reduced anxiety (d=-0.58) and depression (d=-0.36).
• Positive outcomes included increased positive affect (d=0.47) and emotional ties (d=0.40), alongside increased physical activity (Effectiveness).
• Staff support facilitated program adoption, but challenges in securing dedicated space (Implementation) and lack of long-term maintenance data were noted.

Conclusions:

• The UWorkItOut UWin program shows promise in improving student mental health and physical activity.
• Addressing implementation barriers and enhancing long-term maintenance strategies are essential for sustained impact.
• A client-centered approach necessitates ongoing program evaluation and adaptation for optimal outcomes.