title: Mental contrasting as a behaviour change technique: a systematic review protocol paper of effects, mediators and moderators on health.
abstract: Mental contrasting is a self-regulation strategy that is required for strong goal commitment. In mental contrasting, individuals firstly imagine a desired future or health goal that contrasted with the reality proceeding the goal state, which after reflection is viewed as an obstacle (Oettingen et al. J Pers Soc Psychol 80:736-753, 2001). Mentally contrasting a positive future with reality enables individuals to translate positive attitudes and high efficacy into strong goal commitment.
  
  
  
  A systematic review of the literature is proposed to explore the efficacy of mental contrasting as a behaviour change technique (Michie et al., Ann Behav Med 46: 81-95, 2013) for health. The review also aims to identify the effects of mental contrasting on health-related behaviour, as well as identifying mediator and moderator variables.
  
  
  
  This will be the first systematic review of mental contrasting as a health behaviour change technique. With sufficient studies, a meta-analysis will be conducted with sensitivity and sub group analyses. If meta-analysis is not appropriate, a narrative synthesis of the reviewed studies will be conducted.
  
  
  
  Review protocol registered on PROSPERO reference CRD42016034202 .
authors.affiliation: University of Derby Online Learning, University of Derby, Derby, UK. A.Cross1@derby.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ainslea
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5465-3283
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sheffield
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D006040:Goals; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009042:Motivation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
keywords: Goal attainment; Goal pursuit; Implementation intentions; MCII; Mental contrasting; Self-regulation