Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
Behavior Modification01:21

Behavior Modification

Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI01:30

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI

Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Impact of Individuals on Individuals01:30

Impact of Individuals on Individuals

Human behavior is intricately shaped by social influences that arise from interactions with others in diverse contexts. These influences not only mold beliefs and attitudes but also drive the regulation of behaviors through both direct communication and observational learning. The study of these processes falls within the domain of social psychology, which seeks to understand how individuals are affected by and affect those around them.Mechanisms of Social InfluenceDirect social influence...
Behaviorism01:28

Behaviorism

The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Investigating When, Which, and Why Users Stop Using a Digital Health Intervention to Promote an Active Lifestyle: Secondary Analysis With A Focus on Health Action Process Approach-Based Psychological Determinants.

JMIR mHealth and uHealth·2022
Same author

Sex-specific typologies of older adults' sedentary behaviors and their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors: a latent profile analysis.

BMC geriatrics·2021
Same author

Engagement, Acceptability, Usability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Self-Monitoring Mobile Health Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Belgian Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study.

JMIR mHealth and uHealth·2020
Same author

Which behaviour change techniques are effective to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in adults: a factorial randomized trial of an e- and m-health intervention.

The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity·2020
Same author

Low-Cost Consumer-Based Trackers to Measure Physical Activity and Sleep Duration Among Adults in Free-Living Conditions: Validation Study.

JMIR mHealth and uHealth·2020
Same author

Built Environment, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Findings from the International Physical Activity and Environment Network (IPEN) Adult Study.

Annual review of public health·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models
07:14

Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models

Published on: December 23, 2025

Surfing depth on a behaviour change website: predictors and effects on behaviour.

Nele Jacobs1, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Neree Claes

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium. nele.jacobs@uhasselt.be

Informatics for Health & Social Care
|August 24, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Website engagement, specifically consulting physical activity feedback, improved physical activity levels in adults. Deeper website surfing did not significantly impact fat intake or physical activity changes.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models
07:14

Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models

Published on: December 23, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Health behavior change
  • Digital health interventions
  • Website usability and information architecture

Background:

  • Behavior change websites are increasingly used to support health interventions.
  • Understanding user engagement with these websites is crucial for optimizing their effectiveness.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the relationship between website use patterns and health behavior outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate website usage patterns, including surfing depth and feedback consultation, among users of a behavior change website.
  • To determine if website usage metrics can predict changes in physical activity and fat intake.
  • To assess the impact of specific website features, like feedback consultation, on health behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized trial involving 208 highly educated adults who received a medical intervention, coaching, and access to a behavior change website.
  • Website usage data (surfing depth, page view duration) were collected automatically.
  • Online questionnaires assessed physical activity and fat intake at baseline and 6-month follow-up.
  • Hierarchical linear regression analysis was employed to predict surfing depth and its effects on behavior.

Main Results:

  • 75% of participants accessed the behavior change website, with a median surfing depth of 2 pages.
  • 51% and 56% consulted physical activity and fat intake feedback, respectively.
  • Email coaching duration predicted deeper website surfing (beta=0.36; p<0.001).
  • Surfing depth did not significantly predict changes in fat intake or physical activity.
  • Consulting physical activity feedback was associated with increased physical activity (beta=0.23; p=0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Website usage metrics like surfing depth may not directly correlate with behavior change.
  • Specific engagement with feedback features, such as physical activity feedback, can positively influence health behaviors.
  • Findings offer insights for designing more effective behavior change websites and improving information architecture.