Affective associations mediate the influence of cost-benefit beliefs on fruit and vegetable consumption.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables is far lower than recommended. The behavioral affective associations model posits that affective associations influence behavior and mediate the influence of perceived benefits and barriers on behavioral choices. The purpose of this study was to test the model's predictions about the influence of affective associations and benefits/barriers on fruit and vegetable consumption. Community adults (N=446) reported perceived benefits and barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption, affective associations with fruits and vegetables, and current fruit and vegetable intake. Affective associations predicted behavior and mediated the influence of benefits and barriers on behavior, supporting predictions made by the behavioral affective associations model. This highlights the need to incorporate affective factors in decision-making models and intervention strategies.
Kiviniemi
Marc T
MT
Department of Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, SUNY, 314 Kimball Tower, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States. Electronic address: mtk8@buffalo.edu.
Duangdao
Kate M
KM
Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States.
D000339:Affect; D001244:Association; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics