From Theory-Inspired to Theory-Based Interventions: A Protocol for Developing and Testing a Methodology for Linking Behaviour Change Techniques to Theoretical Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Background Understanding links between behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and mechanisms of action (the processes through which they affect behaviour) helps inform the systematic development of behaviour change interventions. Purpose This research aims to develop and test a methodology for linking BCTs to their mechanisms of action. Methods Study 1 (published explicit links): Hypothesised links between 93 BCTs (from the 93-item BCT taxonomy, BCTTv1) and mechanisms of action will be identified from published interventions and their frequency, explicitness and precision documented. Study 2 (expert-agreed explicit links): Behaviour change experts will identify links between 61 BCTs and 26 mechanisms of action in a formal consensus study. Study 3 (integrated matrix of explicit links): Agreement between studies 1 and 2 will be evaluated and a new group of experts will discuss discrepancies. An integrated matrix of BCT-mechanism of action links, annotated to indicate strength of evidence, will be generated. Study 4 (published implicit links): To determine whether groups of co-occurring BCTs can be linked to theories, we will identify groups of BCTs that are used together from the study 1 literature. A consensus exercise will be used to rate strength of links between groups of BCT and theories. Conclusions A formal methodology for linking BCTs to their hypothesised mechanisms of action can contribute to the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions. This research is a step towards developing a behaviour change 'ontology', specifying relations between BCTs, mechanisms of action, modes of delivery, populations, settings and types of behaviour.

Health Behavior Change for Obesity Management

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Medication adherence across the lifespan: Theory, methods, interventions and six grand challenges

“…'Social Identity' from the Theoretical Domains Framework (Presseau et al, 2016). Ongoing work in the health behaviour change literature is currently attempting to link specific behaviour change techniques with specific constructs or mechanisms of action (Michie et al, 2016) and this may help identify feasible psychological targets for intervention to support medication taking behaviour in diverse conditions.…”

In Reply

“…Thus, hand hygiene interventions should proceed as theory-based as possible by consequent empirical assessment of relevant compliance determinants and matched selection of behavior change techniques (5). It is in this approach (and not so much in "new" methods) that the PSYGIENE-study's innovation lies (1).…”