Title
Consideration of Future Consequences Influences Involvement in Romantic Partners’ Health
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Publication Title
Health Communication
Volume
36
Issue
5
First Page
639
Last Page
649
DOI
10.1080/10410236.2020.1733229
Abstract
This study examined the influence of people’s short-term (e.g., convenience) and long-term (e.g., maintain weight) motives toward their romantic partner’s health on their provision of health-related social control and autonomy support for their partner’s health behaviors, as well as their indifference toward their romantic partner’s health. Data from a sample of cohabiting couples (N = 212) were analyzed using multilevel path models. Results showed having more long-term motives for a partner’s health lead to increased provisions of autonomy support and social control, and less indifference toward the partner’s health, especially when the partner had lower long-term health motives themselves. In contrast, having more short-term motives for a partner’s health was associated with providing less social control and autonomy support and showing more indifference toward the partner’s health. Thus, people motivated to improve their partner’s long-term health engage in more behaviors meant to improve their romantic partner’s health choices, particularly when the partner has low motivation to regulate their own health behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Berzins, Tiffany L.; LaBuda, Jessica E.; and Gere, Judith, "Consideration of Future Consequences Influences Involvement in Romantic Partners’ Health" (2021). Faculty Bibliography. 3314.
https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/bibliography_faculty/3314