Auld lang syne: success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year's resolvers and nonresolvers.

Full Abstract

New Year's resolvers (n = 159) and comparable nonresolvers interested in changing a problem later (n = 123) were followed for six months via telephone interviews to determine their self-reported outcomes, predictors of success, and change processes. The two groups did not differ in terms of demographic characteristics, problem histories, or behavioral goals (weight loss, exercise program, and smoking cessation being the most prevalent). Resolvers reported higher rates of success than nonresolvers; at six months, 46% of the resolvers were continuously successful compared to 4% of the nonresolvers. Self-efficacy, skills to change, and readiness to change assessed before January 1 all predicted positive outcome for resolvers. Once into the new year, successful resolvers employed more cognitive-behavioral processes but fewer awareness-generating and emotion-enhancing processes than nonsuccessful resolvers. Discussion centers on the research and intervention opportunities afforded by the annual tradition of resolutions.Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Author information

Author/s: Norcross, John C (JC); Mrykalo, Marci S (MS); Blagys, Matthew D (MD);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Scranton, PA 18510-4596, USA. norcross@uofs.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of clinical psychology (J Clin Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Apr; vol 58 (issue 4) : pp 397-405

Dates: Created 2002/03/28; Completed 2002/04/16; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 11920693, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Behavior Therapy
Cognition
Emotions
Female
Goals
Humans

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