Effects of Self-Affirmation on Implementation Intentions and the Moderating Role of Affect

Abstract

Self-affirmation may offset defensiveness to threatening messages, increase intentions to engage in protective behaviors, and facilitate actual change. Relatively little is known about the conditions under which self-affirmation is most beneficial. The authors examined whether self-affirmation facilitates the forming of implementation intentions–plans to engage in specific steps that facilitate behavior change—and whether effects differ by affective state. Undergraduate female drinkers (N = 265) were self-affirmed or not prior to reading an article linking excessive alcohol consumption to breast cancer susceptibility. They then had the opportunity to report implementation intentions, by listing specific steps they planned to take to reduce consumption. Consistent with predictions, self-affirmation promoted formation of implementation intentions, an effect found only among individuals manifesting positive (as opposed to negative) affect following receipt of the message. Self-affirmation may facilitate behavior change by encouraging development of implementation intentions, an effect that is likely enhanced among those experiencing positive affect.