Social cognitions and smoking behaviour: Temporal resolution matters.

Conclusions Relationships between cognitions and behaviours vary according to the temporal resolution of the measurement schedule. Ensuring that the temporal resolution of assessment is appropriate for the temporal dynamics of the behaviour being assessed is important. Future research is needed to investigate the potential for leveraging specific cognitive processes depending on temporal importance in order to increase health-promoting behaviours. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Social cognitions including intentions, risk perception, and self-efficacy have been observed to predict smoking. Little is known about the role of time in the cognition-behaviour relationship. Cognitions have been observed to fluctuate, but instability is typically not considered in research design. What does this study add? Daily measurement of social cognitions predicts behaviour better than measurements taken at baseline. Momentary smoking behaviour is predicted by momentary cognitions at the intra-individual level. Temporal resolution of measurement should be considered when investigating cognition-behaviour relationships. PMID: 31814262 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: British Journal of Health Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Br J Health Psychol Source Type: research