Effects of a dyadic action control intervention on daily levels of
received social support
Authors
C. Berli
U. Scholz
Abstract
Background: The role of social relationships for regulating health
behavior has so far been rather neglected. Dyadic approaches to self-regulation may enhance
positive social exchanges such as social support. Thus, this study investigated the effects of
an individual and dyadic action control trial on daily levels of received social support in the
context of physical activity. Methods: 117 overweight individuals and their partners were
randomly allocated to one of four groups (dyadic vs. individual action control vs. two
control). Participants completed end-of-day diaries on smartphones during 14 days of
intervention and 14 days following intervention including measures of received practical and
emotional social support from the partner. Findings: Both experimental groups reported
significantly higher daily levels of emotional and practical received social support than
control groups. Moreover, after the intervention social support levels were only decreased in
control but not in experimental groups. Discussion: Overall, findings suggest that both an
individual and dyadic action control intervention may encourage social support interactions in
couples in the context of physical activity.
