This project investigates psychological factors, such as psychological well-being, distress, and dysfunctional eating patterns, that moderate the relationship between intention and concrete action in the domain of sustainable eating behaviors.
PROJECT IMPACT
Findings from 223 adult participants from the general population revealed that socio-emotional factors like the emotional value of behavior, feelings of obligation, and social norms significantly predict sustainable eating intentions. Crucially, 'external eating' (eating in response to external stimuli) and 'autonomy' (reliance on others' judgment and social pressure) emerged as key psychological moderators: individuals with lower external eating or autonomy showed a stronger link between intention and behavior. The findings of this project open up exciting opportunities for public health campaigns and policy-making. They provide practical insights to design more impactful interventions by focusing on the emotional value attributed to food, the sense of moral obligations, and the influence of social norms. Thus, future awareness initiatives should aim to foster positive emotional connections with healthy, sustainable eating, while also strengthening a sense of shared responsibility. Furthermore, recognizing 'external eating' and 'autonomy' as psychological moderators allows for targeted psychological strategies to help individuals overcome these specific challenges, for example through interventions aimed at shaping conscious consumers through practical tools—such as apps that guide people toward eco-friendly choices – enabling them to better translate good intentions into consistent behaviors.