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Jenkins K, Buchan J, Rhodes RE, Hamilton K. Exploring environmental cues to instigate physical movement in the workplace. Health Psychol Behav Med 2024; 12:2323433. [PMID: 38476211 PMCID: PMC10930145 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2024.2323433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background With the increase of sedentary jobs and the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, finding novel methods to increase physical activity should be a priority. Environmental cues within the workplace can serve as cues to action for initiating light physical activity. Aim To qualitatively explore the environmental cues that can instigate light physical activity within an office workplace context. Identification of these cues can inform behaviour change programmes designed to promote habitual physical movement within the workplace. Method Purposive sampling was used to recruit full-time sedentary office workers who self-report as having a highly sedentary job. Interviews followed a semi-structured design and thematic analysis was used to explore environmental cues within commercial, home, and mixed office settings. Results Forty-three office workers were interviewed, 16 from a commercial office, 12 from a home office, and 15 with a flexible work arrangement whereby they worked from both a commercial and home office. The findings of this study indicate that across all three groups the main instigator of movement was influenced by office layout (e.g. getting up for beverages and taking bathroom breaks), social environment (e.g. informal and formal meetings), and taking active breaks, both job-related (e.g. printing and filing) and non-job-related (e.g. household chores). Conclusions These findings provide valuable insight for behaviour change programmes utilising environmental cues to inform habit-based interventions designed to instigate movement within the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailas Jenkins
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Jena Buchan
- Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Coolangatta, Australia
| | - Ryan E. Rhodes
- School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Kyra Hamilton
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Australia
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California – Merced, Merced, CA, USA
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Saunders B, More KR. Some habits are more work than others: Deliberate self-regulation strategy use increases with behavioral complexity, even for established habits. J Pers 2024. [PMID: 38450535 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that complex behaviors are commonly supported by self-regulation strategies, even when those behaviors are supported by strong instigation habits. BACKGROUND Goal-directed and habit-mediated processes arise from separable systems that have been suggested to seldomly interact. RESULTS Self-regulation strategy use was lower for habitually instigated simple behaviors compared to nonhabitually instigated simple behaviors. However, participants' use of self-regulation strategies increased with the increasing complexity of behaviors, even when complex behaviors were habitually instigated. The difference in the extent of strategy use between habitually and nonhabitually instigated actions was absent when behavioral complexity was particularly high. CONCLUSION These results point to a qualitative distinction-while simple behaviors may progress in a relatively automatic and unthinking manner, complex behaviors receive frequent support from self-regulation strategies, even if they are instigated habitually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair Saunders
- Division of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kimberly R More
- Division of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Lee Y, Lee HIL, Cho H. How Do Two Types of Exercise Habits Predict Physical Activity with Intention? Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:933. [PMID: 37998680 PMCID: PMC10669490 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This manuscript investigates how conscious intention and unconscious exercise habits influence physical activity behavior. While prior research has predominantly focused on conscious decision-making, this study applied a dual-process model to explore the impact of intention and habit on physical activity engagement. Out of the 300 questionnaires distributed to students from one university, 282 questionnaires were utilized for data analysis after excluding insincere responses. Intention was measured using a 7-point scale, while exercise habits were assessed using the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index. In addition, physical activity was measured using the Weekly Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. The validity and reliability of measurement tools were confirmed. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS, including correlation analysis, multiple regression, and moderation analysis. Intention, exercise preparation habit, and exercise performance habit were all found to influence physical activity levels significantly. Intention demonstrated the strongest impact, followed by exercise preparation habit and exercise performance habit. This suggests that the research efforts regarding intention conducted before the emergence of the dual process model, which proposes the importance of unconscious thinking patterns, were not in vain. The analysis revealed a statistically significant moderating effect of exercise preparation habit, but not exercise performance habit, in the relationship between intention and physical activity. Exercise preparation habit was identified as a significant moderator, enhancing the relationship between intention and physical activity. This study underscores the importance of considering both conscious intention and unconscious exercise habits in promoting physical activity. The findings challenge the prevailing emphasis on conscious decision-making and highlight the need for a more comprehensive understanding of unconscious behavior in health behavior interventions. This study is expected to arouse academic interest in the often-neglected area of unconscious behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoongu Lee
- Division of Sports Science, Sun Moon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea; (Y.L.); (H.-I.L.)
| | - Hyung-IL Lee
- Division of Sports Science, Sun Moon University, Asan 31460, Republic of Korea; (Y.L.); (H.-I.L.)
| | - Heetae Cho
- Department of Sport Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gardner
- Department of Psychology, Elizabeth Fry Building, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Phillippa Lally
- Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
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Sproesser G, Aulbach M, Gültzow T, König LM. Do nutrition knowledge, food preferences, and habit strength moderate the association between preference for intuition and deliberation in eating decision-making and dietary intake? Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2023; 15:957-982. [PMID: 36478397 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An intuitive style in eating decision-making, for example, basing decisions on one's gut feeling, has been related to a less healthy diet, whereas deliberately deciding what to eat, such as making plans about eating behavior, has been related to a healthier diet. The present study investigated whether nutrition knowledge, food preferences, and habit strength for healthy and unhealthy eating moderate these relationships. In total, 1245 participants took part in a preregistered cross-sectional online survey. Results revealed that neither nutrition knowledge, nor liking of healthy or unhealthy foods, nor habit strength for healthy or unhealthy eating interacted with the preference for intuition or deliberation in eating decision-making in affecting dietary intake (βs ≤ |.06|; ts ≤ |2.11|; ps ≥ .035). Instead, including the potential moderating variables in analyses rendered the effect of a preference for intuition largely non-significant. In contrast, the positive effect of a preference for deliberation was largely stable even when including the potential moderating variables. Thus, the present study confirms the general health-promoting effect of a preference for deliberation in eating decision-making. In contrast, results speak in favor of a generally minor role of a preference for intuition for healthy or unhealthy eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Sproesser
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Institute of Education and Psychology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Matthias Aulbach
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Gültzow
- Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura M König
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Kulmbach, Germany
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Novoradovskaya E, Mullan B, Hasking P. Acceptability of a behaviour change intervention aimed at increasing the use of a reusable hot drink cup. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2023; 97:102203. [PMID: 36502670 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is an acute issue, with single-use plastic contributing to it significantly. It is beneficial for the planet if we engage in more sustainable behaviors, such as using reusable items instead of single-use ones, thus reducing plastic pollution. We implemented an intervention to increase the use of reusable coffee cups, by employing behavior change techniques that targeted values towards environment, intention to use a reusable cup, and habit. The intervention was successful in increasing the participants' use of reusable cups. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the acceptability of the intervention and research methods, as well as opinions of participants about the process and intervention effectiveness, using a mixed methods approach. Participants (N = 156) answered open and closed survey questions about the acceptability of the intervention, and 11 participated in interviews regarding their experience of intervention. The intervention was deemed acceptable and useful by all participants, regardless of which intervention condition they were allocated to, according to both survey and interview data. Men, however, evaluated the intervention as less personally relevant than women, with overall participation of men in the intervention being smaller than women. Recommendations for implementing similar interventions and future research are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Novoradovskaya
- Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Barbara Mullan
- Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Penelope Hasking
- Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
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Rodger A, Vezevicius A, Papies EK. Can a simple plan change a complex behavior? Implementation intentions in the context of water drinking. Appetite 2023; 183:106459. [PMID: 36646386 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Underhydration has significant adverse physical and mental health effects, yet many people drink too little water. Implementation intentions have been found to effectively promote many health behaviors, but little is known about the processes underlying their effects in naturalistic settings, and whether they could improve water drinking. This mixed-methods study assessed the impact and potential underlying processes of using implementation intentions to increase self-reported water intake over a five-day follow-up. Ninety-five participants (Mage = 39, SD = 12) received an educational quiz to increase their water drinking motivation before being randomly assigned to the control or intervention group. Participants also completed a qualitative survey that assessed the processes underlying their attempts to increase water intake. Quantitative results suggested that most participants increased their average daily water intake regardless of group. Qualitative results indicated that implementation intention participants struggled with remembering and the perceived effort of preparation and drinking behaviors, which reduced the effect of planning on behavior. This study provides essential theoretical and methodological considerations for researchers studying implementation intentions, as the effects and mechanisms of implementation intentions in real-life situations may be more complex than previously assumed. For example, the results suggest that implementation intentions did not automatize remembering and performing the behavior in ways the current literature theorizes. Other kinds of interventions may be needed to improve the complex daily-life behaviour of water drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Rodger
- School of Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, UK.
| | - Ariel Vezevicius
- School of Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Esther K Papies
- School of Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, UK
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