Using Goal Setting and Performance Feedback to Improve Self-Management of Health Behavior

Abstract

This study examines the effect of goal setting and performance feedback on self-management of health behavior. A multiple baseline design across participants was used. The data involving participants’ daily life settings were collected via e-mail and self-recording. Three female undergraduate students participated in the study. Goal setting and graphical performance feedback were employed through a self-recording application were used to improve participants’ self-management of health behavior. The two DVs were as follows: Percentage of task completion and subjective evaluating points of participants’ weight. One participant showed floor effect during the baseline phase. The other two participants completed more tasks in the goal setting and performance feedback phase than in the baseline phase. They also showed a greater tendency toward lower cumulative points in the goal setting and performance feedback phase than in the baseline phase. The results showed that goal setting and performance feedback affected self-management of health behavior.