title: Changing self-reported physical activity using different types of affectively and cognitively framed health messages, in a student population.
abstract: The present research focused upon the power of different messages to increase self-reported physical activity (PA). Five hundered and ninety six participants were randomised to one of five conditions that varied in the content of message: short-term affective, short-term cognitive, long-term affective, long-term cognitive and a no message control. PA was measured at baseline and follow-up (seven days later) was done using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire over the subsequent seven day period. The affective short-term message (ASM) was shown to be equally effective at increasing self-reported PA as a cognitive long-term message. Furthermore, when controlling for baseline activity levels, the ASM emerged as being the message that produced the highest levels of self-reported PA at follow-up. The findings point to the value of distinguishing between health messages in terms of the focus on affective and cognitive outcomes and the temporal nature of the outcomes (short-term or long-term).
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Leeds Trinity University , Leeds , UK.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: b Bradford Institute for Health Research , Bradford , UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.affiliation: b Bradford Institute for Health Research , Bradford , UK.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McEachan
authors.affiliation: c Unilever Research , Unilever Discover , Bedford , UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hurling
authors.affiliation: d School of Psychology , University of Leeds , Leeds , UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003071:Cognition; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: affect; behaviour change; messaging; physical activity