Do Framed Mental Health Messages on Social Media Influence University Students' Motivation for Physical Activity?

ABSTRACT: Message framing has been used as a strategy for promoting physical activity (PA) in university students, but the effectiveness of gain-framed (GF), or loss-framed (LF) messages is variable. This study aims to investigate the effects on motivation and PA behaviour of framed messaging on social media in university students. Gain- and loss-framed messages communicated the mental health outcomes of PA. A three-arm feasibility study (n = 148) collected pre-post intervention online questionnaire responses to assess motivation for PA, exercise, active travel, and PA levels, in response to the messaging intervention on Facebook. Both GF and LF messages effectively increased average motivation for PA in comparison to controls (GF by 0.3 (on a 7-point Likert scale), 9% [95% CI: 3-17%], p = 0.007, LF

SUBMITTER: Gilbert G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8392601 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature