Abstract
Introduction: The self-as-doer identity, an identity which describes one in correspondence with doing a behavior, has shown to improve healthy eating behaviors but less is known about how the orientation toward the doer identity (i.e., approach vs avoidant) might affect healthy eating behaviors. Approach motivation puts energy towards achieving a positive stimulus whereas avoidant motivation uses energy to avoid an aversive stimulus. Research indicates that approach goals are simpler to implement and may be better for initial behavioral enactment, while avoidance goals may be better for behavior maintenance.
Although research suggests that approach goals may be successful in behavioral change more research is warranted, especially in the context of a self-as-doer identity. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore how approach and avoidant self-as-doer identities are associated with healthy eating behaviors and psychosocial factors known to influence healthy eating behaviors.
Methods: Participants (N=120) completed a survey and writing activity either online (N = 34) or in-person (N=86).Demographics and questions about health beliefs and behaviors and the self-as-doer identity in the form of avoidant identities (e.g., salt avoider)and approach identities (e.g., fruit eater) were asked. Pearson’s correlations and independent t-test were calculated to determine the relationship among variables and differences in approach and avoidant identities for those on a special diet.
Results: Total healthy eating and consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit were positively correlated with approach doer identities but not with avoidant doer identities. Low fat dairy consumption was not correlated with approach or avoider doer identities. Approach and avoidant doer identities were also positively correlated with self-identity as a healthy eater, health regulatory focus-promotion, intentions, attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Approach and avoidant doer identities were negatively correlated with health regulatory function–prevention and were not correlated with social norms. Finally, participants who were on a special diet had stronger approach identities compared to those who were not (t (117)=3.03, p=.003), but were not different in avoidant identities, t(117)=.61, p=.54.
Discussion: Seeing oneself as a doer who enacts rather than limits or restricts a behavior is associated with more healthy eating behaviors. This may be due to the shift in healthy eating culture to focus on moderation, rather than restrictive dieting. Furthermore, there is some rejection of the thin ideal, which in turn may lead others to make healthy additions to one’s daily choices (e.g., daily green powder, fruit/vegetable, vitamins). That avoidant doer identities were not associated with healthy eating might be because data from the survey only measured how much food was consumed and not restrictive eating habits. Results support previous research on how doer identities are related to healthy eating behaviors and further demonstrate the value of approach-specific doer identities and their association with healthy eating behaviors.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
Psychology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Amanda Brouwer, Ph.D.
Start Date
4-19-2023 10:00 AM
End Date
4-19-2023 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
40
Included in
Self-as-Doer Identity and Health Behaviors: How Approach and Avoidant Orientation Correlate with Healthy Eating
Introduction: The self-as-doer identity, an identity which describes one in correspondence with doing a behavior, has shown to improve healthy eating behaviors but less is known about how the orientation toward the doer identity (i.e., approach vs avoidant) might affect healthy eating behaviors. Approach motivation puts energy towards achieving a positive stimulus whereas avoidant motivation uses energy to avoid an aversive stimulus. Research indicates that approach goals are simpler to implement and may be better for initial behavioral enactment, while avoidance goals may be better for behavior maintenance.
Although research suggests that approach goals may be successful in behavioral change more research is warranted, especially in the context of a self-as-doer identity. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore how approach and avoidant self-as-doer identities are associated with healthy eating behaviors and psychosocial factors known to influence healthy eating behaviors.
Methods: Participants (N=120) completed a survey and writing activity either online (N = 34) or in-person (N=86).Demographics and questions about health beliefs and behaviors and the self-as-doer identity in the form of avoidant identities (e.g., salt avoider)and approach identities (e.g., fruit eater) were asked. Pearson’s correlations and independent t-test were calculated to determine the relationship among variables and differences in approach and avoidant identities for those on a special diet.
Results: Total healthy eating and consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit were positively correlated with approach doer identities but not with avoidant doer identities. Low fat dairy consumption was not correlated with approach or avoider doer identities. Approach and avoidant doer identities were also positively correlated with self-identity as a healthy eater, health regulatory focus-promotion, intentions, attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Approach and avoidant doer identities were negatively correlated with health regulatory function–prevention and were not correlated with social norms. Finally, participants who were on a special diet had stronger approach identities compared to those who were not (t (117)=3.03, p=.003), but were not different in avoidant identities, t(117)=.61, p=.54.
Discussion: Seeing oneself as a doer who enacts rather than limits or restricts a behavior is associated with more healthy eating behaviors. This may be due to the shift in healthy eating culture to focus on moderation, rather than restrictive dieting. Furthermore, there is some rejection of the thin ideal, which in turn may lead others to make healthy additions to one’s daily choices (e.g., daily green powder, fruit/vegetable, vitamins). That avoidant doer identities were not associated with healthy eating might be because data from the survey only measured how much food was consumed and not restrictive eating habits. Results support previous research on how doer identities are related to healthy eating behaviors and further demonstrate the value of approach-specific doer identities and their association with healthy eating behaviors.
