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