Publication Date

8-1-1997

Degree Program

Department of Public Health

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the lifestyle of international students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) and to compare the lifestyles of international and American students and subgroups of international students. The Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ), was a 26-item personal health lifestyle test, which had six sections (nutrition, exercise, smoking, alcohol and drugs, safety, and stress). The test-retest reliability of LSQ was evaluated by Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r) and was .89. During October and November 1997, 55 international students and 64 American students at WKU finished the LSQ. Significant differences were found between the American student group and the international student group on the total LSQ score (t=3.47) and the scores on the sections of Smoking (t=2.17), Alcohol and Drugs (2.91), and Safety (3.91) after analysis by a t-test. International students had higher scores on the above areas. No significant differences were indicated between the two groups in nutrition, exercise, and stress. The above results were discussed and analyzed on possible causes, consistency with previous research, and limitations of this study. Recommendations about the potential use of LSQ and the work effectiveness of international student health services were also presented.

Disciplines

Public Health

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