Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS)
Volume 17, July 2020, Pages 17-22
Authors
A. Stapleton, M. O’Connor, E. Feerick, J. Kerr, L. McHugh
Abstract
The present study examined whether a domain-specific measure of health values consistent living would predict engagement in health-related behaviors above and beyond measures of values consistent living in general. Participants were 111 individuals aged 18 to 49 years (M = 21.41, SD = 3.721) who attended a single assessment session to complete the Values Wheel measure of health values consistent living, and questionnaire measures of general values consistent living and engagement in health behaviors. The findings indicated that neither dietary quality nor alcohol consumption were related to health or general values consistent living. Greater levels of physical activity were associated with greater commitment to valued action in general. Lower sleep disturbance was associated with greater commitment to valued action in general and greater health values consistent living. Health values consistent living did not predict incremental variance in sleep quality over and above commitment to valued action in general. The present findings suggest that assessing abstract values alone is not sufficient to predict specific behaviors. Findings are discussed with reference to the need to improve measures of values consistent living by increasing their specificity.