Titre du document / Document title

A field experiment testing the utility of regulatory fit messages for promoting physical activity

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

LATIMER Amy E. ⁽¹⁾ ; RIVERS Susan E. ⁽¹⁾ ; RENCH Tara A. ⁽¹⁾ ; KATULAK Nicole A. ⁽¹⁾ ; HICKS Althea ⁽²⁾ ; KEANY HODOROWSKI Julie ⁽²⁾ ; TORY HIGGINS E. ⁽³⁾ ; SALOVEY Peter ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Psychology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208205, New Haven, CT 06520-8205, ETATS-UNIS
⁽²⁾ National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, ETATS-UNIS
⁽³⁾ Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, ETATS-UNIS

Résumé / Abstract

Guided by regulatory focus theory, we examined whether messages tailored to individuals' promotion- or prevention-goal orientation (regulatory focus) elicit positive thoughts and feelings about physical activity and increase participation in physical activity. Inactive participants (N = 206) were assigned randomly to receive either promotion-focused or prevention-focused messages encouraging physical activity. Two weeks after message exposure, we assessed participants' thoughts and feelings about physical activity and physical activity behavior. Tailored messages that fit individuals' regulatory focus led to greater physical activity participation and more positive feelings than non-fit messages, particularly in the promotion-focused condition. Furthermore, positive retrospective feelings about physical activity mediated the effects of the tailored messages on behavior. These findings provide support for regulatory focus theory and direction for enhancing the effectiveness of messages encouraging physical activity and other health behaviors.

Revue / Journal Title

Journal of experimental social psychology   ISSN 0022-1031   CODEN JESPAQ 

Source / Source

2008, vol. 44, n^o3, pp. 826-832 [7 page(s) (article)] (3/4 p.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Elsevier, San Diego, CA, ETATS-UNIS  (1965) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Cancer ; Human ; Public health ; Physical exercise ; Self regulation ; Behavior change ; Persuasion ; Malignant tumor ; Prevention ; Experimental study ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Cancer ; Homme ; Santé publique ; Exercice physique ; Autorégulation ; Changement comportement ; Persuasion ; Tumeur maligne ; Prévention ; Etude expérimentale ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Cáncer ; Hombre ; Salud pública ; Ejercicio físico ; Autoregulación ; Cambio conducta ; Persuasión ; Tumor maligno ; Prevención ; Estudio experimental ;

Mots-clés d'auteur / Author Keywords

Physical activity ; Regulatory focus ; Message tailoring ; Persuasion ; Cancer information service ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 13008, 35400017270811.0390