The Importance of Self-concept and Self-expansion in Understanding Health and Behavior Change

Abstract

Many factors impact health behaviors (e.g., smoking, physical activity) at individual, relational, and societal levels. This chapter focuses on health behaviors and behavior change in the context of self-concept and self-expansion. The chapter begins with a brief review of the importance of many aspects of the self (e.g., self-efficacy, self-concept) in the context of health and health behaviors. Next, the self-expansion model, which is the main focus of this chapter, is introduced. Recent literature extending the self-expansion model from its roots in the close relationships field to the individual domain including in regard to health and behavior change is then reviewed. Next, research on self-expansion in the context of behavioral health is reviewed and potential mechanisms (e.g., reward replacement, motivation) through which self-expansion facilitates smoking cessation, weight control, and physical activity are discussed. Finally, future directions and research questions for better understanding self-expansion and its role in health behavior change are discussed.