Theoretical explanations for maintenance of behaviour change: a systematic review of behaviour theories

By Dominika Kwasnicka, S. Dombrowski, M. White, Falko Sniehotta. Health Psychology Review, 2016

1,238 citations recorded by the source corpus.

ABSTRACT Background: Behaviour change interventions are effective in supporting individuals in achieving temporary behaviour change. Behaviour change maintenance, however, is rarely attained. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise current theoretical explanations for behaviour change maintenance to inform future research and practice. Methods: Potentially relevant theories were identified through systematic searches of electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO). In addition, an existing database of 80 theories was searched, and 25 theory experts were consulted. Theories were included if they formulated hypotheses about behaviour change maintenance. Included theories were synthesised thematically to ascertain overarching explanations for behaviour change maintenance. Initial theoretical themes were cross-validated. Findings: One hundred and seventeen behaviour theories were identified, of which 100 met the inclusion criteria. Five overarching, interconnected themes representing theoretical explanations for behaviour change maintenance emerged. Theoretical explanations of behaviour change maintenance focus on the differential nature and role of motives, self-regulation, resources (psychological and physical), habits, and environmental and social influences from initiation to maintenance. Discussion: There are distinct patterns of theoretical explanations for behaviour change and for behaviour change maintenance. The findings from this review can guide the development and evaluation of interventions promoting maintenance of health behaviours and help in the development of an integrated theory of behaviour change maintenance.

Subfields: Applied Psychology, General Health Professions, Physiology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/9555cdc45233c0637ae30e916fbe5d15acc9389b

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In Applied Psychology

In General Health Professions

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Citations in the corpus

The updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research based on user feedback (2022, background): “In order to purposefully select a subset of constructs for assessment, users can rely on (1) consensus discussions and/or surveys with experts, (2) empirical studies or prior work, or [3] policy or change theories, including theories of organizational- [40] and individual-level [63, 83] change.”
Effective behaviour change techniques for physical activity and healthy eating in overweight and obese adults; systematic review and meta-regression analyses (2017, background): “In accordance with this, a review summarizing 100 theories that explain maintenance of behaviour change, have identified five overarching theoretical themes, among them positive maintenance motives, and active self-regulation [5].”
Behavior Change Techniques and Their Mechanisms of Action: A Synthesis of Links Described in Published Intervention Literature (2018, background): “Despite rapid growth in behavioral intervention research, the effects of behavioral interventions continue to be typically small, variable, and not maintained long-term [3, 4].”
Correlates of Perceived Physical Activity Transitions during the COVID‐19 Pandemic among Canadian Adults (2020, background): “…for the study could explain these changes in MVPA because all are established correlates (Bauman et al., 2012; Carraro & Gaudreau, 2013; Christian et al., 2018; Karmeniemi et al., 2018; Kaushal & Rhodes, 2014; Kwasnicka et al., 2016; Rhodes, 2017; Rhodes & Boudreau, 2017; Rhodes & Quinlan, 2015).”
Private Landowner Conservation Behavior Following Participation in Voluntary Incentive Programs: Recommendations to Facilitate Behavioral Persistence (2018, methodology): “Landowner motivations, such as enjoyment of a behavior or satisfaction with behavioral outcomes, could provide a basis for behavioral persistence if the motivations endure beyond incentive payments (de Snoo et al. 2013; Kwasnicka et al. 2016).”