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A large-scale experiment on New Year's resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than
Martin Oscarsson1, Per Carlbring1, Gerhard Andersson2,3
1Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Plos One
|December 9, 2020
Summary
New Year's resolutions, especially those for physical health, can be sustained long-term. Providing some support significantly increases success rates for goal achievement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
Background:
- New Year's resolutions are popular but poorly understood.
- Limited research exists on resolution formulation and success rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate common resolutions and their success rates.
- Determine if goal-setting interventions improve resolution success.
- Explore the impact of support levels on sustained goal achievement.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 1066 general public participants.
- Three groups: active control, some support, extended support.
- One-year follow-up to assess resolution success.
Main Results:
- Most popular resolutions focused on physical health, weight loss, and diet.
- 55% of participants sustained resolutions at one year.
- Approach-oriented goals (58.9%) were more successful than avoidance-oriented goals (47.1%).
- The 'some support' group showed significantly higher success rates.
Conclusions:
- New Year's resolutions can lead to lasting behavioral changes.
- Goal-setting support enhances the likelihood of resolution success.
- Approach-oriented goal setting is more effective for sustained change.
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