How can social disclosure affect behavior change among clients?

The evidence suggests disclosure of behavior record and progress among clients to both peer and professionals can assist clients in sustaining a behavior change. Additionally, announcing the intent to engage in a new behavior can have a significant influence. Thus, when individuals announce their intent to change or their progress in changing behaviors to others, they are likely to be held more accountable, and this accountability increases their adherence. Social disclosure can occur in formal (e.g., weekly meetings with a support group) or less formal (e.g., while walking or eating lunch with friends) encounters.