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Combining self-affirmation with implementation intentions to promote fruit and vegetable consumption

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 21:39 authored by Pete HarrisPete Harris, Irina Brearley, Paschal Sheeran, Margo Barker, William M P Klein, J David Creswell, John M Levine, Rod Bond
OBJECTIVE The current study tested whether self-affirmation in the context of a threatening health message helps promote a health behavior (fruit and vegetable consumption) over a 3-month period, and whether adding a manipulation to support the translation of intentions into behavior (an implementation intentions induction) enhances the impact of self-affirmation. METHODS Participants (N = 332, 71% women) reported their baseline consumption and were randomly assigned to condition in a 2 (self-affirmation: yes, no) × 2 (implementation intentions: formed, not formed) between-subjects factorial design. They completed a self-affirmation/control task and then read a health communication advising eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Next participants reported intentions for behavior change, after which they formed/did not form relevant implementation intentions. Consumption was measured again 7 days and 3 months postintervention. RESULTS Self-affirmed (vs. nonaffirmed) participants reported eating more fruit and vegetables at both follow-ups. Forming (vs. not forming) implementation intentions was also beneficial for consumption. At 7 days, there was also a significant self-affirmation × implementation intentions interaction: consumption was highest when self-affirmed participants also formed implementation intentions. CONCLUSIONS The present study offers new evidence concerning the impact and durability of self-affirmation on health behaviors and the role of implementation intentions in enhancing the impact of self-affirmation.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Health Psychology

ISSN

0278-6133

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Issue

7

Volume

33

Page range

729-36

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-07-16

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2015-07-16

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