Messages About Weight Management: An Examination of How Acceptance and Challenge Are Related to Message Effectiveness

Abstract

A confirmation perspective was employed to assess weight management messages individuals receive from significant others. Confirmation was conceptualized as having two components: acceptance and challenge. Both were hypothesized to predict message effectiveness. Study 1 explored types of weight management messages and how they varied in acceptance and challenge. Study 2 showed effective messages had higher acceptance and challenge than ineffective messages. Further, acceptance and challenge in hypothetical messages predicted perceived message effectiveness. Analyses also suggested adapting messages based on individual differences (e.g., preferences regarding communication) may be more efficacious in promoting healthy behaviors than adapting messages based on demographic characteristics.

Co-Rumination of Fat Talk and Weight Control Practices: An Application of Confirmation Theory

“…Participants rated their friends' responses during co-rumination using the Dailey, Romo, and McCracken (2010) 10-item acceptance scale measuring friends' attentiveness and warmth during interactions (e.g., "When I mention something about my body/weight, my friend typically shows she understands how I feel about my weight").…”

“…Dailey and colleagues (Dailey, Richards, & Romo, 2010;Dailey, Romo, & McCracken, 2010;Dailey, Romo, & Thompson, 2011) investigated the content of weight-related communication with others in effort to understand the most effective ways partners can help each other feel confirmed about their body and weight. Their research found that during conversations about weight management, romantic partners/spouses, friends, parents, and siblings frequently made reassuring comments ("You're much slimmer than you seem to think.…”

“…The most recent applications of confirmation theory have isolated and tested two components of confirmation: acceptance (i.e., showing positive regard, warmth, and attentiveness during interactions) and challenge (i.e., pushing the other to achieve a greater potential during interactions; e.g., Dailey et al, 2011;Dailey, Richards, & Romo, 2010;Dailey, Romo, & McCracken, 2010). Confirmation theorists suggest that telling someone that she is accepted for who she is does not necessarily mean that the source does not want her to change; that is, confirmation suggests that she is accepted as she is, as well as seen for the person that she has the potential to become.…”

Confirmation in Couples' Communication About Weight Management: An Analysis of How Both Partners Contribute to Individuals' Health Behaviors and Conversational Outcomes

“…This recent application of confirmation theory isolates two components of confirmation—acceptance and challenge (e.g., Dailey, McCracken, & Romo, 2011; Dailey, Richards, & Romo, 2010; Dailey, Romo, & McCracken, 2010). Acceptance is defined as the degree to which a relational partner shows positive regard, care, warmth, and attentiveness during interactions regarding WM.…”

Parental Confirmation, Body Dissatisfaction, and Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Female College Students

“…Further, one study found that the combination of acceptance and challenge from significant others during interactions about weight management was associated with the highest levels of body esteem and healthy eating behaviors among college students and members from the community (Dailey, Richards, & Romo, ). However, such interaction effects were not observed in predicting perceived message effectiveness in promoting healthy eating and exercise behaviors (Dailey, Romo, & McCracken, ).…”