An online physical activity possible selves intervention 8 weeks later: A focus on self-regulatory possible selves

Abstract

Possible selves, or future-oriented self-representations (Markus & Nurius, 1986), are related to physical activity (PA) and PA self-regulation (Murru and Martin Ginis, 2010). This online randomized experiment examined self-regulatory and behavioural outcomes when participants form self-regulatory possible selves through the inclusion of planning as part of PA possible selves intervention (enhanced condition) as compared to standard PA possible selves and control conditions. Participants were 198 insufficiently active adults (Mage = 29.79, SD = 11.03) who completed baseline measures, engaged in a possible selves (standard or enhanced) or control intervention and reported PA and intentions 8 weeks later. ANCOVA demonstrated a moderate effect of condition on weekly bouts of moderate and strenuous PA, F (2, 191) = 6.879; p = .001; ?p2 = .067. The differences were between the control (M = 6.51) and both the standard (M = 8.54, p = .045) and enhanced conditions (M = 9.05, p = .001). Covariates were baseline PA, self-regulatory efficacy, and PA identity. Another ANCOVA showed that condition had a moderate effect on PA intentions to maintain current PA, F (2, 191) = 5,793; p = .004; ?p2 = .057, with a difference between the control (M = 4.23) and the enhanced conditions (M = 5.05, p = .003). Covariates were baseline intentions to maintain one’s current level of PA and self-regulatory efficacy. This study provides further support for PA possible selves interventions, suggests that an enhanced condition may be beneficial, and shows that an online delivery method may be effective.

Acknowledgments: CIHR