Ignite Creation Date:
2026-03-26 @ 3:20 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2026-04-01 @ 2:30 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT07481318
Status:
COMPLETED
Last Update Posted:
2026-03-18
First Post:
2026-03-10
Is NOT Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
Training Constructive Social Comparison: Effects on Exercise Motivation and Adherence
Sponsor:
Ling Yang
Organization:
Study Overview
Official Title:
Training Constructive Social Comparison: Effects on Exercise Motivation and Adherence
Status:
COMPLETED
Status Verified Date:
2026-03
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
TCSC2026
Brief Summary:
Regular physical activity is widely recognized as essential for physical and mental health, yet maintaining exercise routines remains a major behavioral challenge. Social comparison processes may play an important role in shaping motivation and persistence in exercise behaviors. While comparisons with others can sometimes motivate behavior change, they may also produce discouraging effects depending on how they are interpreted.
The present study examines the effectiveness of a structured intervention designed to train constructive social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention aims to help participants reinterpret comparisons with others in ways that promote motivation, realistic goal setting, and sustained engagement in exercise.
In a randomized controlled trial, young adults with low levels of physical activity are assigned either to an intervention group receiving training in constructive social comparison or to an active control group receiving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program and follow the same basic exercise recommendations. Outcomes include exercise adherence, interpretation of social comparison, and social comparison orientation.
The present study examines the effectiveness of a structured intervention designed to train constructive social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention aims to help participants reinterpret comparisons with others in ways that promote motivation, realistic goal setting, and sustained engagement in exercise.
In a randomized controlled trial, young adults with low levels of physical activity are assigned either to an intervention group receiving training in constructive social comparison or to an active control group receiving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program and follow the same basic exercise recommendations. Outcomes include exercise adherence, interpretation of social comparison, and social comparison orientation.
Detailed Description:
Maintaining regular physical activity is a persistent challenge for many individuals, particularly among young adults and university students. Although motivation to begin exercising is often high, adherence frequently declines within a short period. Psychological mechanisms that influence how individuals interpret social information about exercise may therefore represent promising targets for behavioral interventions.
Social comparison theory proposes that individuals evaluate their abilities and behaviors by comparing themselves with others. Such comparisons can either facilitate motivation or undermine self-efficacy depending on how they are cognitively interpreted. In contemporary digital environments, exposure to others' exercise behaviors through social media and fitness applications has increased the frequency of these comparison processes.
The present randomized controlled trial evaluates an intervention designed to train constructive interpretation of social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention focuses on helping participants identify maladaptive comparison patterns, reinterpret upward comparisons as sources of learning rather than discouragement, select realistic comparison targets, and translate comparison experiences into concrete behavioral goals related to exercise.
Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention condition involving structured training in constructive social comparison or to an active control condition involving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program consisting of weekly group sessions and follow the same general exercise recommendations.
Primary outcomes include exercise adherence measured through validated self-report instruments and behavioral indicators. Secondary outcomes include changes in interpretation of social comparison and social comparison orientation.
The study aims to determine whether training individuals to reinterpret social comparisons constructively can improve adherence to exercise and to clarify the psychological mechanisms linking comparison processes to health behavior change.
Social comparison theory proposes that individuals evaluate their abilities and behaviors by comparing themselves with others. Such comparisons can either facilitate motivation or undermine self-efficacy depending on how they are cognitively interpreted. In contemporary digital environments, exposure to others' exercise behaviors through social media and fitness applications has increased the frequency of these comparison processes.
The present randomized controlled trial evaluates an intervention designed to train constructive interpretation of social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention focuses on helping participants identify maladaptive comparison patterns, reinterpret upward comparisons as sources of learning rather than discouragement, select realistic comparison targets, and translate comparison experiences into concrete behavioral goals related to exercise.
Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention condition involving structured training in constructive social comparison or to an active control condition involving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program consisting of weekly group sessions and follow the same general exercise recommendations.
Primary outcomes include exercise adherence measured through validated self-report instruments and behavioral indicators. Secondary outcomes include changes in interpretation of social comparison and social comparison orientation.
The study aims to determine whether training individuals to reinterpret social comparisons constructively can improve adherence to exercise and to clarify the psychological mechanisms linking comparison processes to health behavior change.
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: