Journal article
Comparisons as Predictors of People's Beliefs About the Importance of Changing Their Health Behaviors
European Journal of Health Psychology, Vol.27(1), pp.14-29
2020
DOI: 10.1027/2512-8442/a000043
Abstract
The current study tested relative strengths of different
comparison beliefs for predicting people's self-assessments of whether
they should increase their health-relevant behaviors (exercise, sleep, and fruit
and vegetable consumption). Comparison beliefs relevant to three standards
(perceived global, local, expert standards) were evaluated. Data were combined
from three similar studies (total N = 744) that
had a cross-sectional, within-subject design. Participants completed
importance-of-change scales regarding the three health behaviors and reported
comparison beliefs and absolute behavior frequencies/amounts. Results were
consistent across the three behaviors. Comparison beliefs predicted ratings of
importance of changing one's behavior, even beyond what is predicted by
reports of absolute behavior frequency. Expert comparisons were consistently
most predictive above and beyond the absolute estimates and the other comparison
standards. There was no evidence of a local dominance effect when examining
local versus global comparisons. Comparison beliefs have unique utility for
predicting people's perceived importance of changing their heath
behavior. The fact that expert comparisons were consistently most predictive
(and local comparisons the least) may have implications for interventions
designed for encouraging behavior change.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Comparisons as Predictors of People's Beliefs About the Importance of Changing Their Health Behaviors
- Creators
- Jane E Miller - University of IowaPaul D Windschitl - University of IowaTeresa A Treat - University of IowaAaron M Scherer - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- European Journal of Health Psychology, Vol.27(1), pp.14-29
- Publisher
- Hogrefe Publishing
- DOI
- 10.1027/2512-8442/a000043
- ISSN
- 2512-8442
- eISSN
- 2512-8450
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2020
- Academic Unit
- General Internal Medicine; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984202134102771
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