Acting inconsistently with an important goal predicts compensatory health behaviors through regret

Abstract

Objective: This study explored affective mechanisms of compensatory health behaviors after acting inconsistently with an important goal. Specifically, we propose and test a model in which regret over being in a situation that inhibits goal pursuit lays at the root of an individual's engagement in compensatory behaviors such as avoiding fatty foods and sweets.

Methods: A total of 185 participants committed to being healthy took part in a longitudinal experiment (t₀-t₃). At t₀ we measured the extent to which the goal of being healthy was important to participants. At t₁ in the laboratory setting we manipulated inconsistency with the goal by asking participants to taste foods either more or less calorie-dense. After the manipulation (t₂) we measured experienced regret. Twenty-four hours later (t₃), participants declared whether they engaged in compensatory health behaviors such as avoiding fat-dense food and sweets.

Results: As predicted, acting inconsistently with a goal was associated with higher levels of experienced regret. Higher regret, in turn, predicted engagement in compensatory health behaviors. Moreover, subjective importance of the goal moderated the effect of inconsistency on experienced regret in such a way that more committed individuals experienced more regret when they acted inconsistently with a goal.

Conclusions: We discuss the results and propose new avenues for research on compensation in broader contexts of situational and individual differences.

Keywords: Commitment; Compensatory health behaviors; Inconsistency with the goal; Regret.