Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action: An Expert Consensus Study

Lauren E Connell; Rachel N Carey; Marijn de Bruin; Alexander J Rothman; Marie Johnston; Michael P Kelly; Susan Michie

doi:10.1093/abm/kay082

Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action: An Expert Consensus Study

Lauren E Connell, Rachel N Carey, Marijn de Bruin, Alexander J Rothman, Marie Johnston, Michael P Kelly, Susan Michie (Corresponding Author)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

144 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

Background: Understanding the mechanisms through which behavior change techniques (BCTs) can modify behavior is important for the development and evaluation of effective behavioral interventions. To advance the field, we require a shared knowledge of the mechanisms of action (MoAs) through which BCTs may operate when influencing behavior.

Purpose: To elicit expert consensus on links between BCTs and MoAs.

Methods: In a modified Nominal Group Technique study, 105 international behavior change experts rated, discussed, and rerated links between 61 frequently used BCTs and 26 MoAs. The criterion for consensus was that at least 80 per cent of experts reached agreement about a link. Heat maps were used to present the data relating to all possible links.

Results: Of 1,586 possible links (61 BCTs × 26 MoAs), 51 of 61 (83.6 per cent) BCTs had a definite link to one or more MoAs (mean [SD] = 1.44 [0.96], range = 1-4), and 20 of 26 (76.9 per cent) MoAs had a definite link to one or more BCTs (mean [SD] = 3.27 [2.91], range = 9). Ninety (5.7 per cent) were identified as "definite" links, 464 (29.2 per cent) as "definitely not" links, and 1,032 (65.1 per cent) as "possible" or "unsure" links. No "definite" links were identified for 10 BCTs (e.g., "Action Planning" and "Behavioural Substitution") and for six MoAs (e.g., "Needs" and "Optimism").

Conclusions: The matrix of links between BCTs and MoAs provides a basis for those developing and synthesizing behavioral interventions. These links also provide a framework for specifying empirical tests in future studies.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	708-720
Number of pages	13
Journal	Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Volume	53
Issue number	8
Early online date	19 Nov 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay082
Publication status	Published - Aug 2019

Bibliographical note

We would like to express our gratitude to all of the experts in behavior change theory and interventions who participated in this study, and to all the researchers, particularly Hilary Groarke who assisted in the preparation of figures. Support for the preparation of this manuscript was also supported by T32 HL076134 (Connell). This research is funded by UK Medical Research Council grant number MR/L011115/1.

Keywords

behavior change
theory
methodology
behavior change technique
mechanism of action
expert consensus
RISK-FACTORS
METAANALYSIS
Methodology
Theory
Behavior change
INTENTIONS
TAXONOMY
Expert consensus
NOMINAL GROUP
Behavior change technique
HEALTH
Mechanism of action
INTERVENTION

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10.1093/abm/kay082Licence: CC BY

Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action
© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Final published version, 1.56 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action: An Expert Consensus Study",

abstract = "Background: Understanding the mechanisms through which behavior change techniques (BCTs) can modify behavior is important for the development and evaluation of effective behavioral interventions. To advance the field, we require a shared knowledge of the mechanisms of action (MoAs) through which BCTs may operate when influencing behavior.Purpose: To elicit expert consensus on links between BCTs and MoAs.Methods: In a modified Nominal Group Technique study, 105 international behavior change experts rated, discussed, and rerated links between 61 frequently used BCTs and 26 MoAs. The criterion for consensus was that at least 80 per cent of experts reached agreement about a link. Heat maps were used to present the data relating to all possible links.Results: Of 1,586 possible links (61 BCTs × 26 MoAs), 51 of 61 (83.6 per cent) BCTs had a definite link to one or more MoAs (mean [SD] = 1.44 [0.96], range = 1-4), and 20 of 26 (76.9 per cent) MoAs had a definite link to one or more BCTs (mean [SD] = 3.27 [2.91], range = 9). Ninety (5.7 per cent) were identified as {"}definite{"} links, 464 (29.2 per cent) as {"}definitely not{"} links, and 1,032 (65.1 per cent) as {"}possible{"} or {"}unsure{"} links. No {"}definite{"} links were identified for 10 BCTs (e.g., {"}Action Planning{"} and {"}Behavioural Substitution{"}) and for six MoAs (e.g., {"}Needs{"} and {"}Optimism{"}).Conclusions: The matrix of links between BCTs and MoAs provides a basis for those developing and synthesizing behavioral interventions. These links also provide a framework for specifying empirical tests in future studies.",

keywords = "behavior change, theory, methodology, behavior change technique, mechanism of action, expert consensus, RISK-FACTORS, METAANALYSIS, Methodology, Theory, Behavior change, INTENTIONS, TAXONOMY, Expert consensus, NOMINAL GROUP, Behavior change technique, HEALTH, Mechanism of action, INTERVENTION",

author = "Connell, {Lauren E} and Carey, {Rachel N} and {de Bruin}, Marijn and Rothman, {Alexander J} and Marie Johnston and Kelly, {Michael P} and Susan Michie",

note = "We would like to express our gratitude to all of the experts in behavior change theory and interventions who participated in this study, and to all the researchers, particularly Hilary Groarke who assisted in the preparation of figures. Support for the preparation of this manuscript was also supported by T32 HL076134 (Connell). This research is funded by UK Medical Research Council grant number MR/L011115/1. ",

year = "2019",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1093/abm/kay082",

language = "English",

volume = "53",

pages = "708--720",

journal = "Annals of Behavioral Medicine",

issn = "0883-6612",

publisher = "Oxford University Press (OUP)",

number = "8",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action

T2 - An Expert Consensus Study

AU - Connell, Lauren E

AU - Carey, Rachel N

AU - de Bruin, Marijn

AU - Rothman, Alexander J

AU - Johnston, Marie

AU - Kelly, Michael P

AU - Michie, Susan

N1 - We would like to express our gratitude to all of the experts in behavior change theory and interventions who participated in this study, and to all the researchers, particularly Hilary Groarke who assisted in the preparation of figures. Support for the preparation of this manuscript was also supported by T32 HL076134 (Connell). This research is funded by UK Medical Research Council grant number MR/L011115/1.

PY - 2019/8

Y1 - 2019/8

N2 - Background: Understanding the mechanisms through which behavior change techniques (BCTs) can modify behavior is important for the development and evaluation of effective behavioral interventions. To advance the field, we require a shared knowledge of the mechanisms of action (MoAs) through which BCTs may operate when influencing behavior.Purpose: To elicit expert consensus on links between BCTs and MoAs.Methods: In a modified Nominal Group Technique study, 105 international behavior change experts rated, discussed, and rerated links between 61 frequently used BCTs and 26 MoAs. The criterion for consensus was that at least 80 per cent of experts reached agreement about a link. Heat maps were used to present the data relating to all possible links.Results: Of 1,586 possible links (61 BCTs × 26 MoAs), 51 of 61 (83.6 per cent) BCTs had a definite link to one or more MoAs (mean [SD] = 1.44 [0.96], range = 1-4), and 20 of 26 (76.9 per cent) MoAs had a definite link to one or more BCTs (mean [SD] = 3.27 [2.91], range = 9). Ninety (5.7 per cent) were identified as "definite" links, 464 (29.2 per cent) as "definitely not" links, and 1,032 (65.1 per cent) as "possible" or "unsure" links. No "definite" links were identified for 10 BCTs (e.g., "Action Planning" and "Behavioural Substitution") and for six MoAs (e.g., "Needs" and "Optimism").Conclusions: The matrix of links between BCTs and MoAs provides a basis for those developing and synthesizing behavioral interventions. These links also provide a framework for specifying empirical tests in future studies.

AB - Background: Understanding the mechanisms through which behavior change techniques (BCTs) can modify behavior is important for the development and evaluation of effective behavioral interventions. To advance the field, we require a shared knowledge of the mechanisms of action (MoAs) through which BCTs may operate when influencing behavior.Purpose: To elicit expert consensus on links between BCTs and MoAs.Methods: In a modified Nominal Group Technique study, 105 international behavior change experts rated, discussed, and rerated links between 61 frequently used BCTs and 26 MoAs. The criterion for consensus was that at least 80 per cent of experts reached agreement about a link. Heat maps were used to present the data relating to all possible links.Results: Of 1,586 possible links (61 BCTs × 26 MoAs), 51 of 61 (83.6 per cent) BCTs had a definite link to one or more MoAs (mean [SD] = 1.44 [0.96], range = 1-4), and 20 of 26 (76.9 per cent) MoAs had a definite link to one or more BCTs (mean [SD] = 3.27 [2.91], range = 9). Ninety (5.7 per cent) were identified as "definite" links, 464 (29.2 per cent) as "definitely not" links, and 1,032 (65.1 per cent) as "possible" or "unsure" links. No "definite" links were identified for 10 BCTs (e.g., "Action Planning" and "Behavioural Substitution") and for six MoAs (e.g., "Needs" and "Optimism").Conclusions: The matrix of links between BCTs and MoAs provides a basis for those developing and synthesizing behavioral interventions. These links also provide a framework for specifying empirical tests in future studies.

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KW - theory

KW - methodology

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KW - mechanism of action

KW - expert consensus

KW - RISK-FACTORS

KW - METAANALYSIS

KW - Methodology

KW - Theory

KW - Behavior change

KW - INTENTIONS

KW - TAXONOMY

KW - Expert consensus

KW - NOMINAL GROUP

KW - Behavior change technique

KW - HEALTH

KW - Mechanism of action

KW - INTERVENTION

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UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/links-between-behavior-change-techniques-mechanisms-action-expert-consensus-study

U2 - 10.1093/abm/kay082

DO - 10.1093/abm/kay082

M3 - Article

C2 - 30452535

SN - 0883-6612

VL - 53

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JO - Annals of Behavioral Medicine

JF - Annals of Behavioral Medicine

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Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action: An Expert Consensus Study

Abstract

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Marie Johnston

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Links Between Behavior Change Techniques and Mechanisms of Action: An Expert Consensus Study

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Bibliographical note

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Marie Johnston

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