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Category: Project

Description: Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), also known as experience sampling methodology, involves repeated, real-time assessments of phenomena (e.g., cognitions, emotions, behaviours) over a period of time in naturalistic settings. EMA is increasingly used to study both within- and between-person processes: in order to understand and change behaviour, behaviour change theories and interventions need to be applicable to both individuals and groups. Although previous systematic reviews have synthesised evidence from EMA studies for single behaviours, no review to-date has synthesised evidence across key public health behaviours and at both the within- and between-person level. This review aims to fill this gap by synthesising evidence from EMA studies that report either within- or between-person predictor-behaviour or predictor-outcome associations. We will focus on five key public health behaviours: (1) physical activity (including sedentary time), (2) healthy eating, (3) excessive alcohol consumption, (4) tobacco smoking and (5) preventive sexual health behaviours (including condom use). We will assess predictor-behaviour and predictor-outcome associations reported in studies, potential moderators of these associations (e.g. study setting, social grade) and key study features (i.e. length of follow up, frequency of follow-up assessments, compliance with EMA protocols, incentives).