Abstract
As per Identity Theory (Burke & Stets, 2009), individuals have a proclivity to reflect about their behaviour and the extent to which it is consistent with their personal identity meanings. As such, self-reflection can yield negative or positive affect. In particular, negative affect serves a motivational function which helps individuals realign their behaviour with their identity meanings. In the exercise domain, no past research nested in Identity Theory has examined the predictive influence of negative affect on motivational and behavioural outcomes across time. This preliminary study aimed at filing this gap. Data was collected at two time points from 129 university students. We conducted hierarchical regressions to examine whether negative affect predicted exercise intentions (frequency and strength), ? in exercise intentions, exercise at time 2, ? in exercise, and perceptions of identity consistency at time 2 (while controlling for exercise identity, identity-consistency judgment, and past exercise). Negative affect was only a significant predictor of exercise intentions (? = .16, p = .041; ?R2 = .020) and change in exercise intentions (? = .20; p = .041; ?R2 = .032). Results partially support the motivational function of negative affect within Identity Theory. However, negative affect did not predict exercise at time 2, ? in exercise across time, and identity consistency at time 2. Musings regarding the role and strength of negative reactive responses are presented.Acknowledgments: Funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is gratefully acknowledged.