Purpose: Temporal self‐regulation theory was developed to address an observed intention‐behaviour gap across behaviours. However, a synthesis of studies has not yet been conducted to investigate the theory's utility to explain behaviour and bridge the intention‐behaviour gap. This review aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of temporal self‐regulation theory to understanding behaviour and pre‐registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021253174). Method: Forward citation searches on the original theory publication through Google Scholar until May 2021 identified 37 eligible articles, including, 12,555 participants assessing at least two of the three theory constructs. Random‐effects meta‐analyses assessed the strength of associations between theory constructs on behaviour and random effects meta‐regressions assessed moderators of behaviour. Results: Findings provide support for temporal self‐regulation theory to explain behaviour with very weak (self‐regulatory capacity r = .039, CI = .00, –.07) to moderate (intention r = .331, CI = .26, .40; behavioural pre‐potency r = .379, CI = .32, .44) effect sizes. Further, the strength of associations varied across behaviour types and contexts. However, there was high heterogeneity across studies and some moderating effects could not be assessed due to insufficient numbers of studies assessing interactions. Conclusions: We urge researchers to assess and report interactions for better understanding of the drivers of behaviour to develop effective interventions for positive behaviour change.

A behavior’s complexity may impact habit formation, with implications for habit-based public health and environmental intervention designs. However, there are varying conceptualizations of behavioral complexity, hindering the synthesis of findings. To develop a unified definition, the aim of this study was to explore perceptions of behavioral complexity and identify behaviors that exemplify aspects of complexity. Participants (N = 225) completed a questionnaire concerning the complexity of various health and environmental behaviors, the importance of complexity characteristics previously identified by researchers (novelty, difficulty, steps, planning, immediacy of reward, time, attention, skill, mental resources, self-efficacy, motivation for a behavior, and supportiveness of the context) and demographics. Participants considered all proposed characteristics to be important. Complex behaviors (e.g., abstaining from smoking and taking insulin shots), compared to simple behaviors (e.g., eating fruit and stretching), are more likely to be true to the previously identified characteristics. Perceived complexity is influenced by several salient characteristics. Results may contribute to a synthesized definition and underpin future research to better identify behavior change techniques to foster habitual behaviors of varying complexity. Hence, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers may identify common barriers and facilitators of behavior to target in interventions. However, further research is required to contextualize the findings.

Rigid plastics are accepted by Australian recycling facilities but soft forms are not. Further, single-use soft plastic may only be used once but can take 400 years to break down. As only 12% of pl...

Dairy farming contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for a dietary shift toward more sustainable products. Plant-based milks have gained popularity as a lower-calorie, more environmentally sustainable alternative to dairy milk. The aim of this study was to apply an adapted theory of planned behaviour (attitude, subjective norms and behavioural beliefs), expanded to include environmental, health and taste motives, to predict individuals’ intention to consume and consumption of plant-based milks. The participants (N = 286) completed a two-part online questionnaire assessing theory constructs at time one and behaviour at time two. Multiple regression analyses revealed that taste-focused attitude and health-focused behavioural beliefs significantly predicted intention to consume plant-based milks (R² = 0.53, p < 0.001). Intention was the only significant predictor of plant-based milk consumption (R² = 0.60, p < 0.001). These findings offer valuable insights into the motivators of plant-based milk consumption. Intentions should be targeted in interventions to encourage plant-based milk consumption by emphasising the taste value and by instilling individuals’ confidence to attain health benefits.

This study aimed to compare the differences between the framing of intention (approach vs. avoidance) and the type of self-regulatory capacity (planning vs. inhibition) to predict two behaviours (alcohol vs. vegetable consumption). Interaction effects between temporal self-regulation theory constructs were also explored. UK participants were recruited online (N = 254) and completed measures of intention (approach and avoidance), self-regulatory capacity (planning and inhibition), and behavioural prepotency (habit) related to alcohol and vegetable consumption. One week later, consumption was assessed. Habit strength and approach-intentions consistently predicted consumption across each model for both behaviours. There was mixed support for avoidance-intentions and self-regulatory capacity variables in predicting consumption. Planning was more important in vegetable consumption than in alcohol consumption, and avoidance-intentions were only predictive in alcohol consumption. Inhibition was not significant for either behaviour. The interaction between approach-intention and planning was the only significant moderation detected and was only present in vegetable consumption. The framing of intentions and the sub-facet of self-regulatory capacity are important to consider when attempting to explain health behaviours. Furthermore, theoretically defined moderation between temporal self-regulation theory variables might also depend on the type of behaviour and specific measured used to capture self-regulatory capacity.

The aim of this study was to explore the utility of temporal self-regulation theory across four behaviours differing in complexity and approach or avoidance nature. Specifically, we explored if intention, habit, cues, self-regulation (disorganisation, coping planning, task switching, present orientation, sensation seeking, automaticity, planning and distractibility) and interactions between constructs could account for variance in fruit consumption, unhealthy snacking, walking and recycling. Two hundred and fifty-four participants completed a two-part online survey measuring theory constructs at time one and behaviours at time two. Data was analysed using hierarchical multiple regression and binary logistic regression analyses. Findings partially support the theory with differential importance of constructs across behaviours. Intention, habit, sensation seeking and automaticity significantly predicted fruit consumption. Intention and cues significantly predicted unhealthy snacking. There were no significant predictors of walking. Habit, present orientation, sensation seeking, and interactions between intention and sensation seeking, and intention and planning significantly predicted recycling. Findings may help develop future frameworks to guide research and tailored interventions using the theory according to behaviour type. Behavioural pathways suggested in the theory may be reconsidered, or other constructs could be included as extensions of the model to improve the theory's utility.