An intervention study to decrease compensatory health beliefs for physical activity

Abstract

Background: Compensatory health beliefs (CHBs) are beliefs that the negative effects of unhealthy behaviors can be compensated by healthy behaviors. Several studies have provided evidence that CHBs are negatively related to intention and some studies show negative effects on healthy behavior. Interventions to reduce CHBs have not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a CHB-intervention. Methods: 73 people (57 female; M age = 24.34 years, SD = 7.07) were randomly assigned to an intervention and a control group. After the baseline (T1), participants performed strength exercises for two weeks and subsequently answered a follow up questionnaire (T2). The intervention group additionally received information about CHBs and generated coping plans for CHBs. Findings: On average, participants performed 2.28 (SD = 1.53) strength exercises for 9.98 minutes (SD = 14.17) per day. The number and duration of strength exercises did not differ between groups. The intervention group significantly reduced CHBs from T1 to T2 (d = 0.35) whereas CHBs in the control group remained stable. CHBs were not associated to strength exercises. The evaluation of the intervention shows that the intervention group rated the CHB-intervention as comprehensible and realistic, but as less helpful for physical activity. Discussion: This CHB-intervention significantly reduced CHBs although there were no effects on strength exercises. The evaluation shows that the intervention seems to be perceived to be less helpful for strength exercises. Future studies should investigate how CHB-interventions can be more efficient in order to change health behavior.