TY - JOUR

T1 - Navigating family dynamics in the transition to a plant-forward diet

T2 - the role of social support

AU - Gregson, Rebecca

AU - Piazza, Jared

PY - 2025/2/23

Y1 - 2025/2/23

N2 - While sustainable diets have predominantly been examined through the lens of individual decision-making, growing evidence underscores the critical role of relational dynamics in the adoption and maintenance of such practices. This study examined the role of relational climate (i.e. cohesion and flexibility) in governing how family units navigate dietary change. Eighty-four individuals who were pursuing a plant-forward diet participated in a 14-day smartphone-based experience sampling study, where they provided qualitative diary entries and quantitative ratings of food consumption, family support, coordination, and tension. Baseline, out-take, and 2-week follow-up surveys investigated the moderating effects of relational climate, as well as change in food consumption, dietary “stage of change,” goal achievement and commitment. Participants from balanced cohesive family systems reported receiving more support in their dietary goal, which in turn, was related to lower animal-product consumption and greater goal achievement and commitment. This work highlights the importance of family-based social support for bolstering more sustainable eating practices and offers novel insights for engaging household systems in the transition toward a greener food system.

AB - While sustainable diets have predominantly been examined through the lens of individual decision-making, growing evidence underscores the critical role of relational dynamics in the adoption and maintenance of such practices. This study examined the role of relational climate (i.e. cohesion and flexibility) in governing how family units navigate dietary change. Eighty-four individuals who were pursuing a plant-forward diet participated in a 14-day smartphone-based experience sampling study, where they provided qualitative diary entries and quantitative ratings of food consumption, family support, coordination, and tension. Baseline, out-take, and 2-week follow-up surveys investigated the moderating effects of relational climate, as well as change in food consumption, dietary “stage of change,” goal achievement and commitment. Participants from balanced cohesive family systems reported receiving more support in their dietary goal, which in turn, was related to lower animal-product consumption and greater goal achievement and commitment. This work highlights the importance of family-based social support for bolstering more sustainable eating practices and offers novel insights for engaging household systems in the transition toward a greener food system.

U2 - 10.1080/00224545.2025.2467989

DO - 10.1080/00224545.2025.2467989

M3 - Journal article

JO - Journal of Social Psychology

JF - Journal of Social Psychology

SN - 0022-4545

ER -