Date of Award

Winter 12-1-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Tamerin Capellino

Second Advisor

Dr. Kathleen Bates

Third Advisor

Dr. Michele Barr

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods sequential explanatory study was to examine the influence of private social media usage on accountability, adherence, and social connectedness in weight loss and fitness program participants.

Methodology: This study utilized a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design comprised of a multi-state quantitative survey of weight loss and fitness participants and subsequent qualitative interviews to elucidate the influence of private social media on weight loss and fitness program participants regarding program accountability and adherence, and social connectedness to others. The population included 3,000 participants of The Camp Transformation Center and 1,000 participants of Warrior Fitness and Wellness Camp.

Findings: The major of findings from this study revealed the frequency of private social media usage significantly correlated with participant accountability, adherence, and connectedness to weight loss and fitness programs, and participant public declaration of weight loss and fitness intentions via mandatory posting on personal Facebook pages significantly increased accountability and adherence to weight loss and fitness programs. Further, participants declared making themselves a priority was integral to program success.

Conclusions: The study established frequent private social media usage led to accountability and social connectedness, which then drove adherence. Resultantly, it is imperative for weight loss and fitness program developers to understand the magnitude of social media usage as an intervention for engaging and supporting participants and to encouraging program adherence via accountability and social connectedness for weight loss and fitness success.

Recommendations: It is recommended this study be replicated using a larger sample size with different social media platforms and different types of weight loss and fitness programs. Additionally, it is recommended to conduct this study by stratifying fewer demographic variables to determine if there is a relationship between the strata and weight loss and fitness program accountability, adherence, and social connectedness. It is further recommended to conduct this study using Nathaniel Branden’s Intelligent Selfishness versus Self-sacrifice as the theoretical framework.

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