Computer-tailored interventions, which deliver health messages adjusted based on characteristics of the message recipient, can effectively improve a range of health behaviours. Typically, the content of the message is tailored to user demographics, health behaviours and social cognitive factors (e.g., intentions, attitudes, self-efficacy, perceived social support) to increase message relevance, and thus the extent to which the message is read, considered and translated into attitude and behaviour change. Some researchers have suggested that the efficacy of computer-tailored interventions may be further enhanced by adapting messages to suit recipients’ need for cognition (NFC) – a personality trait describing how individuals tend to process information. However, the likely impact of doing so, especially when tailored in conjunction with other variables, requires further consideration. It is possible that intervention effects may be reduced in some circumstances due to interactions with other variables (e.g., perceived relevance) that also influence information processing. From a practical point of view, it is also necessary to consider how to optimally operationalise and measure NFC if it is to be a useful tailoring variable. This paper aims to facilitate further research in this area by critically examining these issues based on relevant theories and existing evidence.

计算机量身定制的干预措施，可以根据消息接收者的特征提供调整后的健康消息，可以有效地改善一系列健康行为。通常，消息的内容适合用户的人口统计，健康行为和社会认知因素（例如，意图，态度，自我效能，所感知的社会支持），以提高消息的相关性，从而提高消息的读取程度，考虑并转化为态度和行为的改变。一些研究人员建议，通过调整信息以适应收件人的认知需求（NFC），可以进一步提高计算机量身定制的干预措施的有效性，NFC是一种描述个人如何处理信息的人格特质。但是，这样做可能带来的影响，特别是与其他变量一起定制时，需要进一步考虑。由于与其他变量的交互作用（例如，感知的相关性）也会影响信息处理，因此在某些情况下可能会降低干预效果。从实践的角度来看，如果要使NFC成为有用的定制变量，则还必须考虑如何优化操作和测量NFC。本文旨在通过根据相关理论和现有证据对这些问题进行严格审查，以促进该领域的进一步研究。如果要使NFC成为有用的定制变量，还必须考虑如何优化NFC的操作和度量。本文旨在通过根据相关理论和现有证据对这些问题进行严格审查，以促进该领域的进一步研究。如果要使NFC成为有用的定制变量，还必须考虑如何最佳地操作和测量NFC。本文旨在通过根据相关理论和现有证据对这些问题进行严格审查，以促进该领域的进一步研究。