Abstract

JIMENEZ-MARTINEZ, Carmen Alicia; ALVAREZ-GASCA, María Araceli  and  JIMENEZ-MARTINEZ, Marcela Sofía. Preliminary findings of an "action-research" program about healthy lifestyles. J. behav. health soc. ISSUES [online]. 2011, vol.3, n.2, pp.101-111. ISSN 2007-0780.  https://doi.org/10.5460/jbhsi.v3.2.30227.

The purpose of this paper was to present the findings of a university training program about healthy lifestyles, utilizing cooperative learning strategies in three stages: 1) a workshop for two groups of college students (Medicine and Psychology) about personal and professional implications of lifestyle; 2) Psychology students participated in a research about lifestyles within diverse samples, which contributed to the third stage, and 3) design, application and evaluation of psychosocial intervention programs in elementary and college levels. Under the action-research approach, experiences of those implied (students and teachers) were described, analyzing their reflections about cooperative work, the impact in themselves and the aspects that allowed them to introduce progressive improvements that strengthen their professional training. Results described the experience of students and teachers, the way they acknowledge the influence of their own beliefs on their health, and the possibility of change of their ideas and their usual behaviors. Students acknowledged the advantages of cooperative work and application of strategies brought about themselves, before the design, application and evaluation of an intervention program. Overall assessment was positive for personal and professional achievement, as well as at the educational community level.

Keywords : Healthy lifestyle; cooperative learning; action-research.