DIY Intervention

Kristen Whitaker

October 30, 2013

The Problem

• Journaling

• Two common negative thoughts

• Physical activity

• Time spent with Zoey, $$$

• These thoughts increased in the evening and

continued during leisure activities

• Goal: decrease stress level and feelings of guilt

related to physical activity and spending time with

Zoey

Solution

• Daily walks on Tempe Town Lake

• At least 30 minutes

• Alarm reminder at 6 pm

• Created playlist after first treatment day

• Theory of operant conditioning

• Positive reinforcement

• A-B-A design

• Baseline – Treatment – Withdrawal

Results

Number of

Walks

Average

Duration

Average

Stress Rating

Baseline

Days 1-4

2 / 4 days 6.25 minutes 6.75

Treatment

Days 5-10

6 / 6 days 54 minutes 4.5

Withdrawal

Days 11-14

4 / 4 days 32.5 minutes 4.5

Insights

• Awareness of negative

thoughts increased critical

self-talk

• Positive self-talk

responses

• Coloring boxes > TV

choice

• Variation in stress

throughout the week

Next Steps

• Increase study duration

• Walking vs self-talk

• Additional measures

• Smartphone Apps

Questions?