The impact of self-affirmation on health cognition, health behaviour and other health-related responses: A narrative review

Harris, Peter R and Epton, Tracy (2009) The impact of self-affirmation on health cognition, health behaviour and other health-related responses: A narrative review. Social and Personality Psychology Compass , 3 (6). pp. 962-978. ISSN 1751-9004

Full text available as:

Preview

Text
Harris_&_Epton_2009.pdf
Download (260Kb)

Published Version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00233.x

Abstract

There is growing evidence that self-affirmation – the process of reflecting upon cherished values or attributes – may have implications for health. Postulated effects range from reducing the defensive resistance to unwelcome health-risk information to ameliorating the physiological response to stress. In this, the first detailed review of the literature on self-affirmation and health, we summarise what is known. Self-affirming can increase acceptance of unwelcome health-risk information, especially among those at greatest risk. Self-affirmed participants typically also report more intention to change behaviour post-message. There is evidence that certain effects of self-affirming may endure. Self-affirmation has also been shown to have beneficial effects on the response to stress. There is, however, currently only limited evidence of actual health behaviour change following self-affirmation. We discuss reasons for this and consider key research questions for the next phase of research.

Item Type:	Article
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	This is an author produced version of a paper published in 'Social and Personality Psychology Compass'. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. The definitive version is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com
Keywords:	self-affirmation, health, health behavior change, risk perception
Academic Units:	The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield)
Depositing User:	Professor Peter R. Harris
Date Deposited:	23 Jun 2011 17:15
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2013 17:32
Published Version:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00233.x
Status:	Published
Publisher:	Wiley
Refereed:	Yes
Identification Number:	DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00233.x
Related URLs:	Author http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.20...
URI:	http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/43099

Actions (login required)

View Item