Can regret prompt compensatory health behaviors? Findings from a clustered randomized trial with physically active adults

Abstract

participants and procedure Physically active men and women (N = 133) were invited to attend a 6-session fitness course. Using cluster randomization, participants were assigned either to the experimental group with a regret-evoking message after they failed to show up at a fitness session (n = 69), or the control group, which did not receive the regret-evoking message (n = 64). After missing any of the first five fitness sessions participants reported whether they had engaged in compensatory health behaviors during the preceding 24 hours. Data were collected at pre-test, post-test, and after each missed fitness session. results Linear mixed-effects analysis showed no effects of the regret manipulation on compensatory behaviors such as physical activity, nutrition, or substance use avoidance. However, the manipulation resulted in lower levels of engagement in socializing behaviors.