This program was for college students and their parents and campus administrators and professionals.

MyStudentBody, a community-based, online, prevention program, was designed to reduce risks for drug and alcohol abuse and sexual violence among adolescents and young adults in college.

Several evaluations have been conducted on the various components of MyStudentBody, and overall results are promising. Results across studies indicate that a sample of community college students who reviewed MyStudentBody online reported a greater reduction in the maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion within the past week and a greater reduction in total drinks consumed within the past week, compared to a control group, at 12-months post-intervention. Parents who participated in the intervention were more likely to discuss protective behavioral strategies with their teens compared to a control group. Positive effects were also found for improved motivation to change eating behaviors and increased social support for dietary change. There was an increase in fruit and vegetable intake found at posttest; however, this effect did not persist at follow-up. Fewer barriers to exercise and greater perceived benefits of exercise were noted in the treatment group, relative to the control group; however, there were no differences between groups in levels of physical activity at any time point. In addition, there was no effect on students’ perceptions of stress.

MyStudentBody consisted of the following components:

• Essentials Course (for incoming students) was designed to help prevent and reduce risky student behaviors such as alcohol and illicit and prescription drug use and sexual violence and included the following: information, interactive videos, quizzes, surveys, self-assessments, and personalized feedback to help change student behaviors;
• Student Conduct Course (for students who violated school alcohol policies) was designed to reduce repeat violations of campus policy by enhancing student self-awareness; improving student decision-making skills; and encouraging students to take responsibility for their negative actions and behaviors through education, interactive tools and videos, self-reflection, and personalized, motivational feedback. Student outcomes could be tracked over time by administering automated follow-up assessments;
• Admin was designed to meet the needs of various campus administrators by providing tools to help these professionals manage the following online sites, students’ site, parent site, and staff site, and access reports and guide the delivery and implementation of the program to students; and
• Parent was designed to promote healthy student behavior through positive communication by helping families develop confidence to have difficult conversations about sensitive topics and provided resources that could support an easier transition for students from high school to college.

MyStudentBody was created with $6 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health. MyStudentBody.com was made available in 2000 and was used in over 300 colleges, universities, and community colleges across the United States. The program was also implemented in Ireland.

Information on training was not available. School administrators could request a free trial of the program.

This program is no longer available; however, considerations for implementing a similar program might include gaining administrative, student, and parent buy-in and ensuring participants have consistent access to a computer with internet capabilities.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing a program similar to MyStudentBody, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

MyStudentBody resources, including health education, self-assessment, tools, and strategies, were available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the semester.

Information on implementation costs was not located.

To move MyStudentBody to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one external evaluation must be conducted in a representative sample that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program. Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program is no longer available.

https://www.mystudentbody.com/hbg/ (This website no longer contains program information)