A taxonomy of behaviour change methods: an Intervention Mapping approach

Area of Science:

• Health Behavior Science
• Intervention Science
• Behavioral Psychology

Background:

• The Intervention Mapping (IM) framework, while established for intervention development, possesses untapped potential as a coding taxonomy for behavior change methods.
• Existing taxonomies may not fully capture the nuances of method effectiveness, particularly concerning the translation from theory to practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Intervention Mapping (IM) taxonomy of behavior change methods and highlight its utility as a coding taxonomy.
• To explicate the parameters for method effectiveness and the distinction between theory-based methods and practical applications.
• To recommend essential intervention characteristics for publication to improve meta-analyses and literature syntheses.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the Intervention Mapping (IM) taxonomy and its constructs.
• Examination of parameters influencing the effectiveness of behavior change methods.
• Review of requirements for effective translation of methods into practical applications.

Main Results:

• The IM taxonomy can be developed into a coding taxonomy, offering a structured approach to behavior change methods.
• Method effectiveness is contingent on targeting predictive determinants, the ability to change determinants, and effective, context-specific translation.
• Poor translation of methods can lead to inaccurate conclusions about their effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• A robust taxonomy for behavior change methods must address three conditions for effectiveness: targeting determinants, changing determinants, and preserving effectiveness during practical application.
• The IM taxonomy is well-suited for intervention developers, providing practical usability for designing and evaluating interventions.
• Enhancing existing taxonomies and adopting the IM framework can improve the quality of research synthesis and intervention development.