title: A pilot randomised test of a self-affirmation implementation intention intervention to reduce dietary salt intake.
abstract: Self-affirmation may reduce defensive processing towards health messages. We tested the effects of a self-affirmation implementation intentional intervention with regard to salt risk message acceptance, estimates of daily-recommended intake and self-reported intake. Participants ( n = 65) who consumed over 6 g/day of salt were randomised into three conditions: self-affirmation, self-affirming implementation intention and control. Participants attended the laboratory and completed a 2-week follow-up. There was no effect of the condition on message acceptance, salt estimation and 2-week salt intake. Across conditions, 2-week salt intake was reduced. We found no evidence for either intervention with regard to salt risk message acceptance and behaviour change.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Upsher
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chilcot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary
keywords: behaviour change; diet; implementation intentions; salt; self-affirmation