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Motivational Message Framing Effects on Physical Activity Dynamics in a Digital Messaging Intervention: Secondary
Alexandra M Lee1, Sahar Hojjatinia1, Jimikaye B Courtney1
1The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Digital messages promoting physical activity do not have a universally effective format. Personalized content, based on individual responses to affective, social-cognitive, or inspirational messages, is key for future interventions.
Area of Science:
- Digital health interventions
- Behavioral science
- Physical activity promotion
Background:
- Smartphone messaging offers a cost-effective method for promoting physical activity to large populations.
- Identifying optimal psychological constructs for digital messages remains a challenge for intervention development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of affectively framed versus social cognitively framed digital messages on physical activity.
- To utilize dynamical modeling techniques to analyze changes in physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a digital messaging intervention involving young adults (18-29 years) using Fitbit smartwatches.
- Participants received daily messages from affective, social-cognitive, or inspirational quote libraries.
- Dynamical modeling analyzed impulse and cumulative step responses to different message types.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant main effect of message type on physical activity levels was found.
- Significant heterogeneity in participant response to message types was observed.
- Individual participants showed stronger responses to affective, social-cognitive, or inspirational messages.
Conclusions:
- A one-size-fits-all digital message content strategy does not universally enhance physical activity.
- Future research should explore personalized message content, adapting to individual responses for optimized interventions.
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