Health regulatory focus and college student outcomes following healthcare visits.

Abstract

Objective: The present work examined associations between undergraduate students' health regulatory focus and three outcomes of their healthcare interactions: affective responses to providers, intentions to adhere to recommendations, and satisfaction with providers. Participants: Study 1 included 522 undergraduates (M_age=19.97 years, SD_age=1.65; 66% female) recruited from a university research subject pool. Study 2 included 97 undergraduates (M_age=21.21 years, SD_age=3.89; 65% female) recruited from a health center. Methods: In Study 1, participants engaged in a hypothetical provider visit and completed a survey. In Study 2, participants completed a survey following their visit to a health center. Results: In both studies, linear regression revealed that health promotion focus related to more-positive affective responses to providers and satisfaction with providers. Health prevention focus was associated with more-negative affective responses to providers in Study 1, but not Study 2. Conclusion: Undergraduate students highest in trait health promotion focus may have better experiences with healthcare providers.