How does the framing of messages promoting exercise 'work out' for different personalities? An application of the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

Past literature has examined applicability of message framing, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and individuals’ personality traits in motivating and maintaining exercise behaviours. To investigate whether a more comprehensive framework could surface from these, this study sought to test and compare these variables in a unified model through path analyses. 158 participants recruited through a Research Participant pool and convenience sampling completed the first survey measuring their self-reported scores in the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), and their scores on the different components of the TPB after exposed to either a gain- or loss-framed infographics that promoted regular exercising. Participants were invited to take a follow-up survey a month after their completion of the first survey, which measured their GLTEQ score again. 42 responded to the follow-up survey. It was found that the TPB framework and two of the Big Five Personality traits, neuroticism and openness to experience, could be fitted in the unified model, but not the other traits or framing valence. In addition, a separate variable, the presence of important others who exercise regularly, was also found to fit well in the model. This contributed a possible direction to investigate in the future. Limitations and future directions were also presented in the paper.