Determining the Action Tendency Emotions Associated with Mothers’ Intentions to Encourage Their Preadolescent Daughters to Eat Healthfully: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Overweight and obese children have an increased risk of becoming overweight and obese adults with myriad health problems. This risk is heightened in girls whose diets are strongly influenced by their mothers. Using an action tendency emotion framework, I investigated what influences mothers to encourage daughters to eat healthfully. I conducted a focus-group study and a web survey with mothers of preadolescent daughters. In my findings, emotion elicitation varied by source. Furthermore, negative emotions were associated with problem solving, positive emotions were associated with maintenance or helping, and sadness and guilt significantly predicted mothers' intent to encourage a healthy diet.

Keywords:

• Action Tendency Emotions
• Appraisal Tendency Framework
• Daughter
• Diet
• Mixed Methods
• Mother

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lauren M. Hamel

Lauren M. Hamel is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program of Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.