Research Methods in health care
Reviews of Theory Use in Health Behavior Intervention Research
Article Topical Focus Theories Used Comments
Ammerman et al., 2002
Dietary fat, fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption
Theory use yes/no; SCT constructs (goal setting); social support
Using a theoretical basis was associated with greater fat reduction and higher F&V intake Goal setting, family and social support strategies more effective
Legler et al., 2002 Mammography promotion in historically underserved groups
Theory used in 68.4% of included studies. Most-used: HBM, TTM, SCT, PRECEDE/PROCEED
Strongest interventions were access-enhancing, consistent with SCT, HBM and ecological model.
Trifiletti, Gielen, Sleet & Hopkins, 2005
Unintentional injury prevention research
Most-used: TRA/TPB, HBM, PRECEDE/PROCEED Model.
Theories were not well-represented in injury prevention research from 1980 to 2001
Noar, Benac & Harris, 2007
Tailored print health behavior change interventions
TTM/stages of change, HBM, TRA/TPB, most used. Nearly every study tailored on at least one theoretical concept
Tailoring with 4-5 concepts yielded larger effect sizes than tailoring on 0-3 concepts. Nearly all studies that tailored on theoretical constructs had larger effect sizes
Joronen, Rankin & Astedt-Kurki, 2008
School-based drama interventions
SCT, TTM Use of social cognitive theory most common (role models, interaction, etc). Mostly positive effects found
Noar, 2008 Reducing HIV-related sexual risk behavior – review of 18 meta- analyses
Most often mentioned: self- management, problem- solving training, skills training with SCT concepts
3 meta-analyses found theory-based strategies superior, 2 showed possible evidence, 2 were null or against theory-based components
Albada et al., 2009 Tailored information about cancer risk and screening
Most-used were TTM, HBM, SCT, PAPM
Review suggested that theory-based interventions are most effective
Lopez, Tolley, Grimes & Chen-Mok, 2009
Interventions for contraception (non-high- risk groups)
SCT was the main theoretical basis in most trials
Theory-based intervention groups had more positive results in majority of trials
Lustria, Cortese, Noar & Glueckauf, 2009
Computer-tailored interventions delivered over the web – various behaviors (diet, activity, alcohol, smoking)
Most-used theories are SCT, TTM, TRA/TPB. Most studies indicated a theoretical framework.
Use of multiple theories and concepts was common, because online computer-tailored strategies are more complex than print tailoring
Noar, Black, & Pierce, 2009
Computer technology- based HIV prevention interventions
Theories used: SCT, TPB, Integrated Model of Behavior (IMB), TTM
Interventions using TTM/stages of change and individual tailoring were most effective
Noar, Palmgreen et al., 2009
HIV/AIDS mass communication campaigns
Mass communication theories used; message content based on HBM, SCT, TTM, TPB and others
44% of campaigns reported using theory, mainly for message design
** From Glanz & Bishop, Ann Rev PH 2010