Undergraduate students (N = 221), adults in a community sample (N = 211), and professional counselors and counselors‐in‐training (N = 269) were given a measure of tolerance. Within each sample, half of the participants were given a version that used the term “the mentally ill” and half were given a version that used the term “people with mental illnesses.” Individuals receiving the version with the term “the mentally ill” had lower levels of tolerance. Professional counselors had the largest differences in tolerance on the basis of language.

Background: There is widespread evidence of the health and wellness benefits associated with moderate physical activity, and lack of engagement with these behaviours remains a significant contributor to the burden of chronic disease in the US adult population. There are clear benefits to identifying motivational factors that facilitate increased personal adherence to physical activity behaviours. Objective: This study explored motivational influences on personal adherence to physical activity by examining the factors related to the behaviours of participants in an organised walking event. Design: Cross-sectional survey involving items for demographic variables, walking habits, perceived wellness, fulfilment of psychological needs, presence of chronic illness and motives for physical activity. Setting: The study sample included participants in a large US Midwestern walking event ( N = 345) across a variety of demographic characteristics. Method: Study participants completed an online survey that gathered information related to personal demographics, behaviours and sources of motivation as measured by the Motives for Physical Activity Measure–Revised scale. This instrument was developed within the context of self-determination theory to measure different motives for implementing behaviours associated with physical activity. Results: Findings revealed different intrinsic (competence, enjoyment and social) and extrinsic (fitness and appearance) motivational influences on participation in walking events that varied based upon demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Motives for participation in walking events, as a mode of health promotion, are influenced by demographic characteristics and health states, and may be relevant for focused efforts to promote engagement with physical activity programming.

Background: Improving college student wellness continues to be a challenge due to concerns related to lifestyle, unhealthy behavior, and lack of accessible supports, often resulting in poor academic performance and high drop-out rates. As a result there has been an increase in wellness-promoting academic courses across colleges and universities with the goal of helping students to establish healthy lifestyle behaviors.Aim: This article critically reviews the existing literature related to college courses designed to promote student wellness.Methods: This scoping review examines research related to courses designed to improve wellness within the college student population between the years 2000-2017 using multiple electronic databases. Results: Review findings include a lack of rigorous research designs, lack of integration of evidence-based models of wellness, challenges associated with consensus conceptualizations of wellness, fidelity, and replicability of wellness-related courses.Conclusions: Wellness as an emerging paradigm continues to gain attention in the literature, particularly related to college students. However, there is a need for more rigorous study designs, examination of mechanisms of change, and consensus related to conceptualizations of wellness and component definitions to inform wellness-promotion efforts, and ultimately support health-enhancing change within the existing lifestyle culture on college campuses.

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