Combining Self-Affirmation and Implementation Intentions: Evidence of Detrimental Effects on Behavioral Outcomes

Background There is limited evidence that self-affirmation manipulations can promote health behavior change. Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore whether the efficacy of a self-affirmation manipulation at promoting exercise could be enhanced by an implementation intention intervention. M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of behavioral medicine 2014-04, Vol.47 (2), p.137-147
Main Authors: Jessop, Donna C., Sparks, Paul, Buckland, Nicola, Harris, Peter R., Churchill, Sue
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude to Health
Behavior modification
Behavior Therapy
Exercise
Exercise - psychology
Family Medicine
Female
General Practice
Health Behavior
Health Promotion
Health Psychology
Humans
Intention
Intervention
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Original Article
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
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Summary:Background There is limited evidence that self-affirmation manipulations can promote health behavior change. Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore whether the efficacy of a self-affirmation manipulation at promoting exercise could be enhanced by an implementation intention intervention. Methods Participants (Study 1  N  = 120, Study 2  N  = 116) were allocated to one of four conditions resulting from the two (self-affirmation manipulation: no affirmation, affirmation) by two (implementation intention manipulation: no implementation intention, implementation intention) experimental design. Exercise behavior was assessed 1 week post-intervention. Results Contrary to prediction, those participants receiving both manipulations were significantly less likely to increase the amount they exercised compared to those receiving only the self-affirmation manipulation. Conclusion Incorporating an implementation intention manipulation alongside a self-affirmation manipulation had a detrimental effect on exercise behavior; participants receiving both manipulations exercised significantly less in the week following the intervention.
ISSN:0883-6612
1532-4796
DOI:10.1007/s12160-013-9536-0