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
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.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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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 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
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: | 04 Jun 2014 09:28 |
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: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:43099 |