Health regulatory focus and college student outcomes following healthcare visits

• Published in: Journal of American college health pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Hua, Jacqueline, Vang, Michael, Howell, Jennifer L., Pertiwi, Yopina, Geers, Andrew L., Boggs, Brandon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 12.03.2025
• Subjects: satisfaction; adherence; affect; Health regulatory focus; provider-patient interactions
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2467325

The present work examined associations between undergraduate students' health regulatory focus and three outcomes of their healthcare interactions: affective responses to providers, intentions to adhere to recommendations, and satisfaction with providers. Study 1 included 522 undergraduates ( =19.97 years, =1.65; 66% female) recruited from a university research subject pool. Study 2 included 97 undergraduates ( =21.21 years, =3.89; 65% female) recruited from a health center. In Study 1, participants engaged in a hypothetical provider visit and completed a survey. In Study 2, participants completed a survey following their visit to a health center. In both studies, linear regression revealed that health promotion focus related to more-positive affective responses to providers and satisfaction with providers. Health prevention focus was associated with more-negative affective responses to providers in Study 1, but not Study 2. Undergraduate students highest in trait health promotion focus may have better experiences with healthcare providers.