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.
RCT Entities:
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.
Authors: David Cameron; Tracy Epton; Paul Norman; Paschal Sheeran; Peter R Harris; Thomas L Webb; Steven A Julious; Alan Brennan; Chloe Thomas; Andrea Petroczi; Declan Naughton; Iltaf Shah Journal: Trials Date: 2015-12-07 Impact factor: 2.279