Changing self-reported physical activity using different types of affectively and cognitively framed health messages,in a student population |
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Authors: | Benjamin Morris Rebecca Lawton Rosemary McEachan Robert Hurling Mark Conner |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK;2. Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK;3. Unilever Research, Unilever Discover, Bedford, UK;4. School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK |
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Abstract: | The present research focused upon the power of different messages to increase self-reported physical activity (PA). Five hundered and ninety six participants were randomised to one of five conditions that varied in the content of message: short-term affective, short-term cognitive, long-term affective, long-term cognitive and a no message control. PA was measured at baseline and follow-up (seven days later) was done using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire over the subsequent seven day period. The affective short-term message (ASM) was shown to be equally effective at increasing self-reported PA as a cognitive long-term message. Furthermore, when controlling for baseline activity levels, the ASM emerged as being the message that produced the highest levels of self-reported PA at follow-up. The findings point to the value of distinguishing between health messages in terms of the focus on affective and cognitive outcomes and the temporal nature of the outcomes (short-term or long-term). |
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Keywords: | affect messaging physical activity behaviour change |
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