Comparing Educational Frameworks in Military Training Courses for Effects on Healthy Behavior Adoption in Army National Guardsmen

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of various educational frameworks including Resiliency Theory (RT), Adult Learning Theory (ALT), and Active Teaching and Learning Strategies (ATLS) on Army National Guardsmen’s (ARNG) perceptions of self-efficacy, grit, and resiliency as part of Holistic Health & Fitness (H2F) Programming addressing healthy behavior change. The investigation established three hypotheses with associated research questions. The study’s design was as a quantitative, quasi-experimental, ex post facto study of two samples using pre- and post-intervention survey screenings. A total of 57 service members belonging to a control group n=37 (RT only) and an intervention group n=20 (RT, ALT, and ATLS) were studied. Data was gathered using the following three instruments: the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), The Grit Scale, and The Brief Resiliency Scale (BRS). Statistical methods depending on normality of data, such as Analysis of Variance and t-Testing were selected to compare the mean outcomes for pre- and post-intervention data for each group. It was shown that the combination of RT, ALT, and ATLS was more effective in producing larger effect sizes of statistically significant increases in self-efficacy and grit. While not statistically significant the experimental group also demonstrated larger changes in resiliency as well. The research also indicated these outcomes were not found to be linked to service member sex or age bracket for either group. The study’s results led to multiple recommendations for educational framework modification when addressing healthy behaviors in the Army National Guard.