Conference Proceedings

2007 Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference

Conference Venue: University of Nottingham
Division of Health Psychology (DHP)

From: 09 Dec 2007
To: 14 Sep 2007

 
Keynote Speaker(s)

Seeing the light: sustained behaviour change and the process of reinvention

J. Ogden
University of Surrey


Health behaviours such as diet, exercise and smoking are linked to health problems and numerous interventions have been designed to promote behaviour change. Research indicates, however, that those who show sustained behaviour change remain in the minority and that many people continue to behave in unhealthy ways. Previous research exploring what factors may predict and explain changes in behaviour has tended to focus on shorter term changes due to limitations of design and funding and has drawn upon structured models which were designed to predict ongoing behaviours or behaviour change in the short term. Further, such research has tended to emphasise a ‘drip drip’ approach with behaviour change being considered the result of a slow process of cognitive shifts and the development and implementation of behavioural intentions or plans. This paper will present the results from a series of qualitative and quantitative studies exploring sustained changes in behaviour with a particular emphasis on behaviour change leading to weight loss and maintenance. In particular, the paper will suggest that rather than being the result of a slow process of cognitive shifts, much sustained behaviour change is the consequence of a specific ‘Damascene moment’ sometimes triggered by a life event or salient milestone. The paper will then argue that this process of ‘seeing the light’ results in an initial change in behaviour which is translated into sustained behaviour change if three conditions are met relating to aspects of function, choice and the individual’s model of their problem. Finally, the paper will explore the central role of reinvention in sustained behaviour change and the importance of the establishment of a new healthier self identity.