Self- and Identity-Regulation and Health

Researchers have become increasingly aware of how theories and findings regarding self- and identity-regulation have important implications for understanding health outcomes. Self- and identity concerns can prompt increases in precautionary actions and healthy behavior, but also increases in risky actions and unhealthy behavior as well as the detection, diagnosis, progression, management and treatment of a disease. At the same time, health outcomes and concerns can influence self- and identity-regulation. This special issue showcases the connections between health and recent theorizing and research in self- and identity-regulation and brings together cutting edge findings that fall at the intersection of self- and identity-regulation and health.

James A. Shepperd, University of FloridaWilliam M.P. Klein, National Cancer InstituteAlexander Rothman, University of Minnesota

CONTENTSJames A. Shepperd, William M. P. Klein, & Alex J. Rothman, Self- and Identity-Regulation and Health: Introduction to the Special Issue. David K. Sherman, Ayse K. Uskul, and John A. Updegraff , The Role of the Self in Responses to Health Communications: A Cultural Perspective. Jeff Stone & Elizabeth Focella, Hypocrisy, dissonance and the self-regulation processes that improve health. Peter R. Harris, Self-affirmation and the self-regulation of health behavior change. Douglas P. Cooper, Jamie L. Goldenberg, and Jamie Arndt, Empowering the Self: Using the Terror Management Health Model to Promote Breast Self-Examination. Michael A. Hogg, Jason T. Siegel, and Zachary P. Hohman, Groups Can Jeopardize Your Health: Identifying with Un-Healthy Groups to Reduce Self-Uncertainty. Malte Friese, Wilhelm Hofmann, and Reinout W. Wiers, On Taming Horses and Strengthening Riders: Recent Developments in Research on Interventions to Improve Self-Control in Health Behaviors. Meredith L. Terry & Mark R. Leary, Self-compassion, Self-regulation, and Health. Bethany M. Kwan & Angela D. Bryan, A Longitudinal Diary Study of the Effects of Causality Orientations on Exercise-Related Affect. C. Nathan DeWall & Richard S. Pond, Jr, Loneliness and Smoking: The Costs of the Desire to Reconnect. William G. Shadel & Daniel Cervone, The role of the self in smoking initiation and smoking cessation: A review and blueprint for research at the intersection of social-cognition and health. Elizabeth A. Pascoe & Laura Smart Richman, Effect of Discrimination on Food Decisions. James A. Shepperd, Alex J. Rothman, & William M. P. Klein, Using Self- and Identity-Regulation to Promote Health: Promises and Challenges.