Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Physical Education
Abstract
Background: Women in early recovery from substance use disorder often face metabolic health vulnerabilities, yet physical health behaviors are frequently under-emphasized in sober living settings. Feasible and accessible wellness strategies are needed to support both behavioral and metabolic health in this population.
Purpose: To compare the effects of professionally delivered in-person health coaching versus peer-coordinated virtual health coaching on metabolic outcomes and health-promoting behaviors among women in sober living facilities.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 32 women enrolled in a 12-week group-based health coaching program focused on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management; 18 completed post-intervention assessments (in-person: n = 10; virtual: n = 8). Metabolic outcomes (including metabolic syndrome criteria and HbA1c) and health-promoting behaviors (HPLP-II) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
Results: Health-promoting behaviors improved significantly over time in both groups (all p < .001), with no significant group differences. Short-term metabolic changes were modest and similar across coaching formats.
Conclusions: Both in-person and peer-coordinated virtual coaching effectively improved lifestyle behaviors, suggesting virtual delivery is a feasible alternative in residential recovery settings. Keywords: Substance use disorder; sober living; health coaching; virtual intervention; metabolic health; health-promoting behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Witt, Craig R., "In-Person Versus Peer-Coordinated Virtual Health Coaching for Metabolic and Behavioral Outcomes in Women in Sober Living Facilities" (2025). Dissertations. 18.
https://roar.una.edu/dissertations/18
