Number of Pages: 48 Style Manual Used: American Psychological Association, 6'h edition

0 I understand that this research report must be officially approved by the Graduate School and that an electronic copy of the approved version will be made available tht·ough the University Library website 0 I attest that the research r eport is my original work (that any copyrightable materials have been used with the permission of the original authors), a nd as such, it is automatically protected by the laws, rules, and regulations of the U.S. Copy right Offlce. Committee membe rs (other than your adviser who is listed in the section above) Abstract Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been used for the past 5000 years. Past CAM research focused CAM as a treatment for illnesses. The current study attempted to close the gap in research by focusing on a non-clinical population and applying a well-known theory; the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand students' use of CAM within the past twelve months. This study used a comprehensive 53 question survey to explore gender differences and the different purposes for using CAM, in student's attitudes towards CAM, their health beliefs, and purpose for using CAM. Results found gender was not a significant predictor of CAM use. The results found positive attitudes towards CAM to be a significant predictor of CAM use. The study found HBM to partially be a significant predictor of CAM use. In particular, perceived severity of illness, barriers to CAM, self-efficacy in health care in general, and cues of action predicted CAM use. However, perceived susceptibility to illness, self-efficacy in using CAM, and benefits of CAM did not. Additional research is needed to better understand gender differences and purposes for using CAM among college students. Future researchers of CAM should consider utilizing the HBM to understand CAM use.