Reciprocal relations between past behavior, implicit beliefs, and habits: A cross-lagged panel design

Examining bidirectional relations between sleep problems and non-suicidal self-injury/suicidal behavior in adolescents: emotion regulation difficulties and externalizing problems as mediators

Based on previous empirical evidences and theoretical framework, sleep problems and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)/suicidal behavior may bidirectionally related to one another. However, this still needs to be examined through longitudinal research. Moreover, the mediating mechanisms accounting for their potential bidirectional relations have yet to be fully investigated. This study thus aimed to evaluate whether sleep problems and NSSI/suicidal behavior promoted each other directly or indirectly through the mediating roles of emotion regulation difficulties (ERD) and externalizing problems. A total of 1648 Chinese adolescents (48.12% boys; Mage = 13.69; SD = 0.82; Age range = 11-16 years old at T1) completed self-report measures on 3-time points across 1 year. Cross-lagged panel models were used to examine the focal longitudinal associations. Results revealed a predictive effect of sleep problems on NSSI and a positive bidirectional relation between sleep problems and suicidal behavior. Moreover, sleep problems exerted an indirect effect on NSSI through ERD, and vice versa. Additionally, both ERD and externalizing problems served as mediators in the pathway from suicidal behavior to sleep problems. This study disentangled the differential mediating roles of ERD and externalizing problems in the longitudinal associations between sleep problems and NSSI/suicidal behavior, which may help provide a more holistic theoretical framework through which to precisely identify key targets for early prevention and intervention of sleep problems and NSSI/suicidal behavior in adolescents.

Testing the Effect of Cue Consistency on the Past Behavior-Habit-Physical Activity Relationship

Behavior performed in the presence of consistent cues is a core element for successful habit development, with the repeated presence of consistent cues facilitating the activation of automatic responses in future. Yet, little is known about the effects of different cue types on habit. Using a two-wave prospective PLS-SEM model with a sample of 68 undergraduate students, we assessed the mediating effects of habit on the past-behavior-to-physical-activity relationship, and how the mediating effects of habit were moderated by the consistent presence of different forms of cues. Habit mediated the effects of past behavior on physical activity, with a significantly stronger mediating effect of habit in those reporting undertaking physical activity at the same time of day, doing the same activity, and in the same mood. Consistent place, people, and part of routine did not moderate the effects of habit. The results provide formative evidence for a key assertion of the habit theory that consistent contextual and internal cues are a cornerstone of habitual development and action, but they also indicate the importance of examining different forms of cues and their impact on the formation and enaction of habits as some cues may be more relevant than others.

Can the Cans: Determinants of Container Deposit Behavior before and after Introduction of a Container Refund Scheme

OBJECTIVE

Container deposit schemes are often hailed as a useful avenue to increase consumer recycling rates. Yet, there is little research investigating within-person changes in people's beliefs and behavior following the implementation of these schemes, or tests of the mechanisms by which such change has occurred.

METHODS

The current study fills this knowledge gap and assessed container recycling behavior and habits as well as the social cognition factors of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions in a sample of 90 Queenslanders before the implementation of the container deposit scheme and one and three months post-implementation.

RESULTS

Analysis of variance indicated more frequent recycling behavior following the implementation of the scheme, as well as stronger habits, intentions, and perceived behavioral control.

CONCLUSIONS

Such a concomitant change in behavior, beliefs, and habits provides support for behavior change theory, while also flagging potential targets for strategies that can be paired with container deposit schemes to enhance their efficacy and uptake.

Creating Implicit Measure Stimulus Sets Using a Multi-Step Piloting Method

The effect of arbitrary stimulus selection is a persistent concern when employing implicit measures. The current study tests a data-driven multi-step procedure to create stimulus items using a combination of free-recall and survey data. Six sets of stimulus items were created, representing healthy food and high sugar items in children, adolescents, and adults. Selected items were highly representative of the target concepts, in frequent use, and of near equal length. Tests of the piloted items in two samples showed slightly higher implicit measure-behavior relations compared to a previously used measure, providing preliminary support for the value in empirically based stimulus selection. Further, the items reported as being the most associated with their target concepts differed notably from what one may expect from the guidelines or population consumption patterns, highlighting the importance of informed stimulus selection.