Action planning as predictor of health protective and health risk behavior: an investigation of fruit and snack consumption

BACKGROUND: Large discrepancies between people's intention to eat a healthy diet and actual dietary behavior indicate that motivation is not a sufficient instigator for healthy behavior. Research efforts to decrease this 'intention - behavior gap' have centered on aspects of self-regulation, most importantly self-regulatory planning. Most studies on the impact of self-regulatory planning in health and dietary behavior focus on the promotion of health protective behaviors. This study investigates and compares the predictive value of action planning in health protective behavior and the restriction of health risk behavior. METHODS: Two longitudinal observational studies were performed simultaneously, one focusing on fruit consumption (N = 572) and one on high-caloric snack consumption (N = 585) in Dutch adults. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate and compare the predictive value of action planning in both behaviors, correcting for demographics and the influence of motivational factors and past behavior. The nature of the influence of action planning was investigated by testing mediating and moderating effects. RESULTS: Action planning was a significant predictor of fruit consumption and restricted snack consumption beyond the influence of motivational factors and past behavior. The strength of the predictive value of action planning did not differ between the two behaviors. Evidence for mediation of the intention - behavior relationship was found for both behaviors. Positive moderating effects of action planning were demonstrated for fruit consumption, indicating that individuals who report high levels of action planning are significantly more likely to translate their intentions into actual behavior. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the planning of specific preparatory actions predicts the performance of healthy dietary behavior and support the application of self-regulatory planning in both health protective and health risk behaviors. Future interventions in dietary modification may turn these findings to advantage by incorporating one common planning protocol to increase the likelihood that good intentions are translated into healthy dietary behavior

The effects of practicing registration of organ donation preference on self-efficacy and registration intention : An enactive mastery experience

To evaluate an intervention to increase self-efficacy intentions to register organ donation preference, a Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted among 242 Dutch high-school students aged 15 to 18 years. On the basis of Social Cognitive Theory, practicing with a standard registration form (according to the Dutch system) was expected to increase the intention to register an organ donation preference through increasing self-efficacy. The participants in the experimental group practiced how to complete a registration form while the control group did not receive an intervention. Students in both groups completed a self-administered questionnaire before and after the intervention took place. The results showed that self-efficacy and intentions to register organ donation preferences at post-test were significantly higher in the intervention group

The effects of practicing registration of organ donation preference on self-efficacy and registration intention : An enactive mastery experience

To evaluate an intervention to increase self-efficacy intentions to register organ donation preference, a Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted among 242 Dutch high-school students aged 15 to 18 years. On the basis of Social Cognitive Theory, practicing with a standard registration form (according to the Dutch system) was expected to increase the intention to register an organ donation preference through increasing self-efficacy. The participants in the experimental group practiced how to complete a registration form while the control group did not receive an intervention. Students in both groups completed a self-administered questionnaire before and after the intervention took place. The results showed that self-efficacy and intentions to register organ donation preferences at post-test were significantly higher in the intervention group.</p

Planning health behaviour change: Comparing the behavioural influence of two types of self-regulatory planning

Objectives. Recent efforts in health psychology to bridge the gap between individuals' intentions and behaviour have centered on the influence of planning strategies. This study investigated the impact of two commonly used types of self-regulatory planning in the prediction of health promoting behaviour. Design. This study employed a prospective longitudinal design. Three measurements were implemented in order to assess associations between various socio-cognitive determinants, planning, and health behaviour. Methods. Structural equation modelling (N = 572) was used to compare the value of preparatory planning, i.e. the planning of strategies and preparatory actions towards a goal behaviour, and implemental planning, i.e. the planning of when, where, and how to perform a goal behaviour, in the prediction of fruit consumption. Results. Both preparatory planning (beta = 0.21; p <001) and implemental planning (beta = 0.13; p <.01) were significant predictors of fruit consumption, over and above the influence of motivational factors. Comparison of differences in explained variance (Delta R(2)) indicated that the contribution of preparatory planning was larger than that of implemental planning (z = 2: 19; p <05). Implemental planning did not contribute to the prediction of fruit consumption over and above the influence of preparatory planning when tested simultaneously. Conclusions. The results provide a first indication that the planning of strategic preparatory actions may be more influential in predicting health behaviour than implemental planning, focusing on when, where, and how to enact goal-directed behaviour. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are outlined

Planning health behaviour change: Comparing the behavioural influence of two types of self-regulatory planning

Objectives. Recent efforts in health psychology to bridge the gap between individuals' intentions and behaviour have centered on the influence of planning strategies. This study investigated the impact of two commonly used types of self-regulatory planning in the prediction of health promoting behaviour. Design. This study employed a prospective longitudinal design. Three measurements were implemented in order to assess associations between various socio-cognitive determinants, planning, and health behaviour. Methods. Structural equation modelling (N = 572) was used to compare the value of preparatory planning, i.e. the planning of strategies and preparatory actions towards a goal behaviour, and implemental planning, i.e. the planning of when, where, and how to perform a goal behaviour, in the prediction of fruit consumption. Results. Both preparatory planning (beta = 0.21; p <001) and implemental planning (beta = 0.13; p <.01) were significant predictors of fruit consumption, over and above the influence of motivational factors. Comparison of differences in explained variance (Delta R(2)) indicated that the contribution of preparatory planning was larger than that of implemental planning (z = 2: 19; p <05). Implemental planning did not contribute to the prediction of fruit consumption over and above the influence of preparatory planning when tested simultaneously. Conclusions. The results provide a first indication that the planning of strategic preparatory actions may be more influential in predicting health behaviour than implemental planning, focusing on when, where, and how to enact goal-directed behaviour. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are outlined