Are interventions theory-based? Development of a theory coding scheme

Interventions are increasingly described as theory-based; however, the basis for this is often not clear. Advancing behavioral science requires a good understanding of how interventions are informed by, and test, theory. This study aims to develop a reliable method for assessing the extent to which...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health psychology Vol. 29; no. 1; p. 1
Main Authors: Michie, Susan, Prestwich, Andrew
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.01.2010
Subjects:
Behavior Therapy - methods
Humans
Mental Disorders - therapy
Mental Health Services - organization & administration
Psychological Theory
Therapies, Investigational
ISSN:1930-7810, 1930-7810
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Interventions are increasingly described as theory-based; however, the basis for this is often not clear. Advancing behavioral science requires a good understanding of how interventions are informed by, and test, theory. This study aims to develop a reliable method for assessing the extent to which behavioral interventions are theory-based. The reliability, usability, and comprehensiveness of an initial coding scheme were improved in 13 iterative stages on the basis of its application to 29 papers, from a systematic review of interventions to promote physical activity and healthy eating. The final Theory Coding Scheme contained 19 items, each with satisfactory interrater reliabilities, coding whether a theory or model was mentioned, how theories were used in intervention design, how intervention evaluations tested theory, and the implications of the results for future theory development. The Theory Coding Scheme is an important methodological innovation, providing a research tool to reliably describe the theoretical base of interventions, inform evidence syntheses within literature reviews and meta-analyses, and stimulate the use of empirical data for theory development.
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ISSN:1930-7810
1930-7810
DOI:10.1037/a0016939