Young Adult Behavioral ChangeTCSC2026NCT07481318
Training Constructive Social Comparison: Effects on Exercise Motivation and Adherence
A study testing Constructive Social Comparison Training and General Health Education in people with Young Adult Behavioral Change, run by Ling Yang at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Regular physical activity is widely recognized as essential for physical and mental health, yet maintaining exercise routines remains a major behavioral challenge. Social comparison processes may play an important role in shaping motivation and persistence in exercise behaviors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Young Adult Behavioral Change
- What is being tested?
- Constructive Social Comparison Training and General Health Education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 160 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 2 Mar 2025to 23 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Report low or irregular engagement in physical activity
- Be able to attend weekly intervention sessions
- Provide informed consent to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Report medical conditions that contraindicate moderate physical activity
- Are currently participating in structured physical activity programs exceeding recommended levels
- Are unable to complete the study questionnaires
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Regular physical activity is widely recognized as essential for physical and mental health, yet maintaining exercise routines remains a major behavioral challenge. Social comparison processes may play an important role in shaping motivation and persistence in exercise behaviors. While comparisons with others can sometimes motivate behavior change, they may also produce discouraging effects depending on how they are interpreted.
The present study examines the effectiveness of a structured intervention designed to train constructive social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention aims to help participants reinterpret comparisons with others in ways that promote motivation, realistic goal setting, and sustained engagement in exercise.
In a randomized controlled trial, young adults with low levels of physical activity are assigned either to an intervention group receiving training in constructive social comparison or to an active control group receiving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program and follow the same basic exercise recommendations. Outcomes include exercise adherence, interpretation of social comparison, and social comparison orientation.
Read the detailed description
Maintaining regular physical activity is a persistent challenge for many individuals, particularly among young adults and university students. Although motivation to begin exercising is often high, adherence frequently declines within a short period. Psychological mechanisms that influence how individuals interpret social information about exercise may therefore represent promising targets for behavioral interventions.
Social comparison theory proposes that individuals evaluate their abilities and behaviors by comparing themselves with others. Such comparisons can either facilitate motivation or undermine self-efficacy depending on how they are cognitively interpreted. In contemporary digital environments, exposure to others' exercise behaviors through social media and fitness applications has increased the frequency of these comparison processes.
The present randomized controlled trial evaluates an intervention designed to train constructive interpretation of social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention focuses on helping participants identify maladaptive comparison patterns, reinterpret upward comparisons as sources of learning rather than discouragement, select realistic comparison targets, and translate comparison experiences into concrete behavioral goals related to exercise.
Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention condition involving structured training in constructive social comparison or to an active control condition involving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program consisting of weekly group sessions and follow the same general exercise recommendations.
Primary outcomes include exercise adherence measured through validated self-report instruments and behavioral indicators. Secondary outcomes include changes in interpretation of social comparison and social comparison orientation.
The study aims to determine whether training individuals to reinterpret social comparisons constructively can improve adherence to exercise and to clarify the psychological mechanisms linking comparison processes to health behavior change.
- Conditions
- Young Adult Behavioral Change
- Being tested
- Constructive Social Comparison Training, General Health Education
- Keywords
- exercise adherence, social comparison, constructive social comparison
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Constructive Social Comparison TrainingBehavioural
weekly group sessions (60-75 minutes) led by a trained facilitator.
General Health EducationBehavioural
Topics include the health benefits of physical activity, recommended levels of weekly exercise, sleep hygiene, hydration, and strategies for organizing daily routines to support healthy behavior.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Constructive Social Comparison Training | Experimental | Participants assigned to this condition receive an eight-week intervention designed to train constructive interpretation of social comparison in the context of physical activity.
The program includes weekly group sessions (60-75 minutes) led by a trained facilitator. Sessions include psychoeducation about social comparison processes, identification of maladaptive comparison patterns, cognitive reframing strategies, selection of realistic comparison targets, and translation of comparisons into concrete behavioral goals related to exercise. Participants also complete short between-session exercises including comparison monitoring and written reframing exercises.
All participants are encouraged to engage in regular moderate physical activity during the program. Receives: Behavioral: Constructive Social Comparison Training |
| Active Comparator: General Health Education | Active comparator | Participants in the control condition receive an eight-week program consisting of weekly sessions of similar duration and structure to the intervention group. However, these sessions focus on general health education related to physical activity rather than social comparison processes.
Topics include the health benefits of physical activity, recommended levels of weekly exercise, sleep hygiene, hydration, and strategies for organizing daily routines to support healthy behavior.
Participants also follow the same general recommendations for engaging in regular moderate physical activity during the program. Receives: Behavioral: General Health Education |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Exercise adherence
Exercise adherence will be measured using the Adolescent Exercise Habits Scale (AEHS), a 12-item validated instrument assessing exercise consistency, self-motivation for exercise, and the integration of physical activity into daily life. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Total scores are calculated as the mean of the items, with higher scores indicating stronger and more stable exercise habits and greater adherence to regular physical activity.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the 8-week intervention (post-intervention), and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention (follow-up).
Secondary outcomes (2)
Constructive interpretation of social comparison
Constructive and discouraging interpretations of social comparison in exercise contexts will be assessed using a six-item questionnaire developed for this study. The instrument includes two subscales: constructive comparison (3 items) and discouraging comparison (3 items). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Higher scores on the constructive items indicate a greater tendency to interpret upward social comparisons as motivating and informative, whereas higher scores on the discouraging items indicate a greater tendency to interpret comparisons as discouraging.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention.
Social comparison orientation
Social comparison orientation will be measured using the short version of the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM). The short version includes six items assessing individuals' general tendency to compare their abilities and opinions with those of others. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating a stronger dispositional tendency to engage in social comparison.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Mar 2026
- Study start2 Mar 2025
- Primary completion23 Sep 2025
- Study completion23 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Young Adult Behavioral ChangeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ling Yang
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Ling Yang, Chinese University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07481318
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TCSC2026
- Acronym
- TCSC2026
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The protection of the privacy of our respondents does not allow us to share IPD.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Training Constructive Social Comparison: Effects on Exercise Motivation and Adherence
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07481318
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TCSC2026 / TCSC2026
- Conditions
- Young Adult Behavioral Change
- Keywords
- exercise adherence, social comparison, constructive social comparison
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ling YangUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Regular physical activity is widely recognized as essential for physical and mental health, yet maintaining exercise routines remains a major behavioral challenge. Social comparison processes may play an important role in shaping motivation and persistence in exercise behaviors. While comparisons with others can sometimes motivate behavior change, they may also produce discouraging effects depending on how they are interpreted.
The present study examines the effectiveness of a structured intervention designed to train constructive social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention aims to help participants reinterpret comparisons with others in ways that promote motivation, realistic goal setting, and sustained engagement in exercise.
In a randomized controlled trial, young adults with low levels of physical activity are assigned either to an intervention group receiving training in constructive social comparison or to an active control group receiving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program and follow the same basic exercise recommendations. Outcomes include exercise adherence, interpretation of social comparison, and social comparison orientation.
Detailed description
Maintaining regular physical activity is a persistent challenge for many individuals, particularly among young adults and university students. Although motivation to begin exercising is often high, adherence frequently declines within a short period. Psychological mechanisms that influence how individuals interpret social information about exercise may therefore represent promising targets for behavioral interventions.
Social comparison theory proposes that individuals evaluate their abilities and behaviors by comparing themselves with others. Such comparisons can either facilitate motivation or undermine self-efficacy depending on how they are cognitively interpreted. In contemporary digital environments, exposure to others' exercise behaviors through social media and fitness applications has increased the frequency of these comparison processes.
The present randomized controlled trial evaluates an intervention designed to train constructive interpretation of social comparison in the context of physical activity. The intervention focuses on helping participants identify maladaptive comparison patterns, reinterpret upward comparisons as sources of learning rather than discouragement, select realistic comparison targets, and translate comparison experiences into concrete behavioral goals related to exercise.
Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention condition involving structured training in constructive social comparison or to an active control condition involving general health education related to physical activity. Both groups participate in an eight-week program consisting of weekly group sessions and follow the same general exercise recommendations.
Primary outcomes include exercise adherence measured through validated self-report instruments and behavioral indicators. Secondary outcomes include changes in interpretation of social comparison and social comparison orientation.
The study aims to determine whether training individuals to reinterpret social comparisons constructively can improve adherence to exercise and to clarify the psychological mechanisms linking comparison processes to health behavior change.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Constructive Social Comparison Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Constructive Social Comparison TrainingParticipants assigned to this condition receive an eight-week intervention designed to train constructive interpretation of social comparison in the context of physical activity. The program includes weekly group sessions (60-75 minutes) led by a trained facilitator. Sessions include psychoeducation about social comparison processes, identification of maladaptive comparison patterns, cognitive reframing strategies, selection of realistic comparison targets, and translation of comparisons into concrete behavioral goals related to exercise. Participants also complete short between-session exercises including comparison monitoring and written reframing exercises. All participants are encouraged to engage in regular moderate physical activity during the program. |
| Active Comparator: General Health Education | Active comparator | Behavioral: General Health EducationParticipants in the control condition receive an eight-week program consisting of weekly sessions of similar duration and structure to the intervention group. However, these sessions focus on general health education related to physical activity rather than social comparison processes. Topics include the health benefits of physical activity, recommended levels of weekly exercise, sleep hygiene, hydration, and strategies for organizing daily routines to support healthy behavior. Participants also follow the same general recommendations for engaging in regular moderate physical activity during the program. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Report low or irregular engagement in physical activity
- Be able to attend weekly intervention sessions
- Provide informed consent to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Report medical conditions that contraindicate moderate physical activity
- Are currently participating in structured physical activity programs exceeding recommended levels
- Are unable to complete the study questionnaires
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Constructive Social Comparison Trainingweekly group sessions (60-75 minutes) led by a trained facilitator. | Behavioural | Experimental: Constructive Social Comparison Training |
| General Health EducationTopics include the health benefits of physical activity, recommended levels of weekly exercise, sleep hygiene, hydration, and strategies for organizing daily routines to support healthy behavior. | Behavioural | Active Comparator: General Health Education |
Primary outcome
Exercise adherence
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the 8-week intervention (post-intervention), and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention (follow-up).
Exercise adherence will be measured using the Adolescent Exercise Habits Scale (AEHS), a 12-item validated instrument assessing exercise consistency, self-motivation for exercise, and the integration of physical activity into daily life. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Total scores are calculated as the mean of the items, with higher scores indicating stronger and more stable exercise habits and greater adherence to regular physical activity.
2 secondary outcomes
Constructive interpretation of social comparison
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention.
Social comparison orientation
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The protection of the privacy of our respondents does not allow us to share IPD.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Constructive Social Comparison Training and General Health Education in people with Young Adult Behavioral Change, run by Ling Yang at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Exercise adherence (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the 8-week intervention (post-intervention), and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention (follow-up).). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Mar 2026.