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From mere 'stability' to 'durability'-Revisiting intention dynamics from a self-regulatory perspective with intensive
Christopher M Jones1,2,3, Mark Conner4, Benjamin Schüz2,3
1Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Applied Psychology. Health and Well-Being
|December 26, 2024
Summary
Durable behavioral intentions, which persist despite challenges, better predict behavior. This study found intention durability strengthens the link between intentions and actions, including adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Behavioral intentions are stronger predictors of behavior when they are temporally stable.
- Existing theories attribute intention stability to statistical properties (e.g., reduced measurement error) or self-regulatory processes (e.g., persistence against challenges).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of intention durability, defined as temporal order-dependent variability, in the intention-behavior relationship.
- To examine how intention durability moderates the association between intentions and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To explore the effect of intention durability on the relationship between past and current behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized intensive longitudinal data from 623 participants assessing adherence to NPIs over a 6-month period (19,740 total assessments).
- Operationalized intention durability using the reversed root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) of assessments.
- Analyzed within- and between-person moderating effects of intention durability on intention-behavior and past-behavior associations.
Main Results:
- More durable intentions were associated with a stronger intention-behavior link at both within- and between-person levels.
- Intention durability also strengthened the effect of past adherence on current adherence to NPIs.
- Findings support the theoretical role of intention durability in self-regulation and behavior prediction.
Conclusions:
- Intention durability significantly moderates the intention-behavior relationship, supporting self-regulatory theories.
- The temporal stability of intentions, particularly their persistence, is crucial for predicting consistent health behaviors like NPI adherence.
- This research offers a nuanced understanding of the self-regulatory mechanisms underlying intention stability.
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