Carrera, PilarMuñoz, DoloresCaballero, AmparoFernández Sedano, Iciar2024-06-112024-06-112018-09-130022-3980; eISSN: 1940-1019https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2018.1486801https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14468/22424Many health-risk behaviors present a self-control conflict in which the short-term outcomes of an action conflict with its long-term consequences. Across three studies, we find that an abstract construal level leads people to focus on long-term rather than short-term consequences when both are described in a message (vs. no message). Studies 1 and 2 explore this hypothesis through a risk behavior (snacking on sugary products), and Study 3 does the same through a health behavior (physical exercise). In Study 1, the Behavioral Identification Form scale is used to measure the construal level as a personal disposition; Studies 2 and 3 use a priming task designed by Freitas, Gollwitzer, and Trope to manipulate the construal level. All these studies show that, under an abstract mindset, people who have read a mixed-outcome message (vs. no message) tend to base their behavioral plans on long-term outcomes. Individually or in small groups (e.g. school class, therapy groups) health messages can be presented along with protocols to change construal level and thus, promote healthier intentionseninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessjournal articleConstrual levelhealth-riskbehavioral intentionsphysical exercisesnacking on sugary products