Conner, M orcid.org/0000-0002-6229-8143, Abraham, C, Prestwich, A orcid.org/0000-0002-7489-6415 et al. (5 more authors) (2016) Impact of goal priority and goal conflict on the intention–health-behavior relationship: Tests on physical activity and other health behaviors. Health Psychology, 35 (9). pp. 1017-1026. ISSN 0278-6133
Abstract
Objectives: Goal intentions are the key proximal determinant of behavior in a number of key models applied to predicting health behavior. However, relatively little previous research has examined how characteristics of goals moderate the intention–health-behavior relations. The present research examined the effects of goal priority and goal conflict as moderators of the intention–health-behavior relationship. Method: The main outcome measures were self-reported performance of physical activity (Studies 1, 2, and 3) and other health behaviors (Study 4), and objectively measured physical activity (Study 3). Studies 1 and 4 used prospective correlational designs to predict later behavior from earlier cognitions. Studies 2 and 3 were experimental studies manipulating goal priority and goal conflict. Studies 1 and 2 used between-subjects designs while Studies 3 and 4 used within-subjects designs. Results: Goal priority significantly moderated the intention–health-behavior relationship for physical activity (Study 1) and a range of protective and risk health behaviors (Study 4). Manipulations of goal priority significantly increased the intention–physical-activity relationship when self-reported (Study 2) and objectively measured (Study 3). In contrast, inconsistent effects were observed for goal conflict as an intention–behavior moderator. Conclusions: When goal priority is high, then intentions are strong predictors of health behaviors. Further studies testing manipulations of goal conflict and in particular goal priority in combination with goal intentions are required to confirm their value as a means to change health behavior.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015, APA. This article may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record. |
Keywords: | intentions; goal priority; intention-behavior relationship; health behavior |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Leeds Institute of Medical Education > Medical Education Unit (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Psychology (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Unilever CH-2010-0904 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 18 Jan 2016 11:33 |
Last Modified: | 16 Sep 2020 14:44 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0000340 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Psychological Association |
Identification Number: | 10.1037/hea0000340 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:93789 |