Family, friends can be better health role models
PROMOTING a healthy lifestyle has become commonplace on social network platforms, and users are now taking inspiration from content creators, and even celebrities, to change some of their lifestyle habits. But are these celebrities and influencers really the best health role models? That’s the question that American researchers set out to investigate.
Researchers at Washington State University surveyed 404 adults who claimed to have been inspired by role models in the health field. They were asked about their motivations in terms of physical and mental health, and the role models — or types of role models — that inspire them. Published in the journal ‘Health Communication’, their findings suggest that having a personal role model, such as a family member or friend — or even a healthcare professional — has a greater impact on health motivation than a celebrity influencer.
In detail, the study reports that when looking for inspiration in terms of health, including a healthy lifestyle, participants are primarily concerned with “perceived similarity”. In other words, they look for a role model who is similar to themselves. As a result, almost twothirds (64 per cent) turn first and foremost to a family member, peer or acquaintance. It should be noted, however, that women were 2.5 times more likely than men to choose this kind of personal role model.
However, this does not mean that celebrities are not a source of motivation for people. They may not have the greatest influence, but they can have a positive impact, say the researchers.