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The feasibility of using video journaling to collect ecological momentary assessment data: application to health behavior change interventions

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Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) technique in a health behavior change intervention offered within university general health courses. A six-week health behavior change project was used with two groups: video journaling and traditional (pencil and paper) group. Research methodology employed was a quantitative, quasi-experimental, control and experimental group posttest comparison design. Stage of change data and program satisfaction surveys were collected from participants at a midsized southeastern university (n = 72; 36 video and 36 traditional). Participants were selected through non-probability, purposive sampling. Upon completion of the behavior change intervention 88.9 % (N = 32) of video journaling participants reported being in either the action or maintenance stage of change compared to 63.9 % (N = 23) of the traditional group. Significant difference was found between the video journaling and traditional groups in levels of satisfaction with the program (M = 3.96, SE = 0.79; M = 3.53, SE = .53 respectively; t = −2.74, p < 0.05). EMA techniques using video journaling to aid behavior change interventions among late adolescence showed promise with further research needed to focus on long-term effects of such interventions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA

    Bridget F. Melton & Helen W. Bland

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Statesboro, GA, USA

    Lauren E. Bigham

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  1. Bridget F. Melton
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  2. Lauren E. Bigham
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  3. Helen W. Bland
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Correspondence to Bridget F. Melton.

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Melton, B.F., Bigham, L.E. & Bland, H.W. The feasibility of using video journaling to collect ecological momentary assessment data: application to health behavior change interventions. J Comput High Educ 25, 12–26 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-013-9064-8

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