An examination of the impact of multiple behavior interventions and underlying processes on behavioral and clinical change

We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of multiple behavior interventions to assess the impact of the effects of number of recommendations on change in behavioral and clinical outcomes and proposed a theoretical process framework that categorizes how recommending multiple behavioral changes may result in more substantive change. The framework distinguished non-elaborative processes that require minimal conscious effort from elaborative processes that do. I first tested the presence and shape of a relation between number of recommendations and resulting behavioral and clinical change, with a positive linear relation suggesting non-elaborative processes and a curvilinear relation suggesting elaborative processes. I then test five potential mediators that could explain these processes: behavioral cuing, psychological wellbeing, information, behavioral skills, or motivation. The meta-analysis included 317 papers yielding 638 independent samples collected from a variety of populations and encompassing lifestyle, HIV, and substance use interventions. Results showed a positive effect of recommendations regardless of number of recommendations, suggesting non-elaborative processes may account for the majority of benefits. These processes appeared to be mediated by changes in well-being and, to a lesser extent, information and were found to help establish behavior change but not maintain it.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• White, Benjamin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Albarracin, Dolores
• Smith, Douglas C
• Briley, Daniel A
• Gothe, Neha
• Laurent, Sean M

• Mediational Processes
• Behavior Change
• Intervention

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Benjamin White

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113192

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F113192