A1 Journal article (refereed)
Evidence That Habit Moderates the Implicit Belief-Behavior Relationship in Health Behaviors (2022)
Phipps, D. J., Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2022). Evidence That Habit Moderates the Implicit Belief-Behavior Relationship in Health Behaviors. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29(1), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-021-09975-z
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Phipps, Daniel J.; Hagger, Martin S.; Hamilton, Kyra
Journal or series: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
ISSN: 1070-5503
eISSN: 1532-7558
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 06/04/2021
Volume: 29
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 116-121
Publisher: Springer
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-021-09975-z
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://psyarxiv.com/w9d8k/
Abstract
Theory suggests that implicit beliefs are more likely to be associated with spontaneous, impulsive health behaviors (e.g., smoking, snacking), while controlled, consciously accessible beliefs are more likely to be associated with behaviors that require deliberation and reasoned decision-making (e.g., physical activity, healthy food selection). Consistent with these predictions, we proposed that as behaviors become habitual, they require less deliberation to enact and are thus more likely to be controlled by non-conscious processes, as indicated by stronger associations with implicit beliefs. The present study tested the moderating effect of habit on the effects of implicit beliefs on two health behaviors.
Method
Two samples of university students completed measures of attitude, habit, and implicit beliefs for free-sugar intake (sample 1) and heavy episodic drinking (sample 2) at an initial time point, with follow-up behavioral measures taken at 2 and 4 weeks later, respectively.
Results
Path analyses indicated that attitude and habit predicted behavior in both samples, and habit moderated the implicit belief-behavior relationship in both samples. The effect of implicit beliefs on behavior was larger among participants reporting strong habits. Implicit beliefs did not moderate the effect of explicit attitudes on behavior.
Conclusion
Findings provide preliminary evidence that experiencing health behaviors as habitual is associated with a stronger implicit beliefs-health behavior relationship.
Keywords: health behaviour; lifestyle habits; social cognition; habits; conceptions; attitudes
Free keywords: social cognition; habits; implicit attitudes; implicit identity; implicit beliefs
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1
