The effects of resolving to diet on restrained and unrestrained eaters: The "false hope syndrome"

Objective: The persistence of dieters' weight loss efforts, despite repeate d failures, suggests that there must be some interim reinforcement for diet ing that sustains the behavior. We propose that self-change efforts capital ize on a "false hope syndrome," in which the initial commitment to change b rings immediate rewards (largely improvements in self-image), regardless of the eventual outcome. Method: Eighty female students chose whether they wo uld attempt either to reduce their weight or to increase their study time o ver a a-week period. A control group did not attempt self-change. Results: The effects of making a resolution to change differed for novice and vetera n self-changers (nondieters and chronic dieters). Nondieters showed an imme diate improvement in their mood and self-image after making a resolution, b ut this subjective improvement dissipated over the course of the study. Vet eran dieters showed a mixed response, initially feeling both more depressed , yet more hopeful of success. Discussion: These results are discussed in t erms of variations on the false hope syndrome for different kinds of indivi duals (novices and veterans). (C) 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.