Passion doesn't change, but emotions do : testing a social media intervention related to physical activity engagement

Abstract

The majority of people do not meet the recommended level of physical activity for health. New ways to motivate people to embrace a physically active lifestyle are needed. Grounded in selfdetermination theory and the dualistic model of passion, the present study tested how a social media intervention could promote adaptive passion and positive emotions related to physical activity. More specifically, it was hypothesized that a four-week intervention managed through an Instagram account would predict more harmonious passion and less obsessive passion, as well as more positive emotions and less negative emotions related to the activity among participants. In order to measure change in passion and emotions, a web-based questionnaire containing the study variables was distributed to young adults (mean age 26.5) before and after the intervention. Participants were then randomly assigned to an intervention group (N=232) or control group (N=292). Results showed that the intervention did not predict change in either harmonious or obsessive passion. However the intervention positively predicted more positive emotions in the activity, controlled for emotions at baseline and negative emotions at follow-up. These findings exemplify how a simple social media intervention can affect psychological constructs relevant to promote more physical activity, and thus that more attention should be drawn towards the application of such tools within the health care system.