Randomised controlled trial of a text messaging intervention for reducing processed meat consumption: The mediating roles of anticipated regret and intention

Abstract

The present study aimed to extend the literature on text messaging interventions involved in promoting healthy eating behaviours. The theoretical framework was the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A randomized controlled trial was used to test the impact of daily text messages compared to no message (groups) for reducing processed meat consumption (PMC) over a 2 week period, testing the sequential mediation role of anticipated regret and intention on the relationship between groups and PMC reduction. PMC and TPB variables were assessed both at Time 1 and Time 2. Participants were Italian undergraduates (at Time 1 N = 124) randomly allocated to control and message condition groups. Undergraduates in the message condition group received a daily SMS, which focused on anticipated regret and urged them to self-monitor PMC. Participants in the control group did not receive any message. Those who completed all measures at both time points were included in the analyses (N = 112). Findings showed that a daily messaging intervention, controlling for participants' past behaviour, reduced self-reported consumption of PMC. Mediation analyses indicated partial serial mediation via anticipated regret and intentions. The current study provided support for the efficacy of a daily messaging intervention targeting anticipated regret and encouraging self-monitoring in decreasing PMC. Outcomes showed the important mediating role of anticipated regret and intentions for reducing PMC.

Promoting water intake. The persuasiveness of a messaging intervention based on anticipated negative affective reactions and self-monitoring

“…Confirming these hypotheses was useful to the design of the intervention study proposed in the Study 2. Consistent with past studies (e.g., Carfora et al, 2017b), which showed that both self-monitoring and ANAR were effective in promoting behavioural changes, here we expected that the SM-ANAR group, which selfmonitored WI and received SMS that daily elicited ANAR, would be more effective in producing significant changes in WI over time.…”

“…Since ANAR were shown to be important factors in determining individuals' intentions and behaviours, recent studies are focused on the ANAR manipulation to change healthy behaviours. (e.g., Carfora, Caso & Conner, 2017b).…”

“…Moreover, a recent study demonstrates the power of supporting a reduction of red meat intake through daily reminders combined with daily written self-monitoring (Carfora, Caso, & Conner, 2017a;2017b). Finally, in literature on the healthy practices, the first attempt to combine self-monitoring and the elicitation of ANAR by a messaging intervention (Carfora, Caso, & Conner, 2017b) have reported promising results.…”

Feel good now or regret it later? The respective roles of affective attitudes and anticipated affective reactions for explaining health‐promoting and health risk behavioral intentions

“…Experimental work in this area has been increasing in recent years, and evidence has been growing for the utility of targeting both affective attitudes (Carfora, Caso, & Conner, 2017; Conner et al, 2015, 2011; Walsh & Kiviniemi, 2014) and anticipated affective reactions to leverage health promoting behavior engagement (Conner et al, 2016; Dillard, Fagerlin, Dal Cin, Zikmund-Fisher, & Ubel, 2010; Ellis et al, 2018; Kwan, Stevens, & Bryan, 2017; Sandberg & Conner, 2011). For instance, a recent study conducted by van der Swaluw and colleagues (2018) used an innovative “lottery” intervention to attempt to make salient anticipated regret for overweight participants aiming to attend the gym at least twice per week.…”

Moderating effects of pro-environmental self-identity on pro-environmental intentions and behaviour: A multi-behaviour study

“…Future research could usefully consider the role of affective factors that could determine intention to engage pro-environmental behaviour (see Hinds & Sparks, 2008) and the extent to which these may be partly reflected in measures of self-identity. For example, more attention should be paid to considering the different roles of affective and instrumental attitudes or anticipated regret in eliciting behaviours (e.g., Carfora, Caso, & Conner, 2016b;Carfora, Caso, & Conner, 2017b). In this regard, Rhodes et al (2014), showed that the effect on intention to recycle was greater via instrumental attitude compared to the impact on intention via affective attitude.…”