Date created: | Last Updated:

Category: Project

Description: BACKGROUND: Understanding the mechanisms through which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) can modify behaviour is important for the development and evaluation of effective behavioural interventions. To advance the field, we require a shared knowledge of the mechanisms of action (MoAs) through which BCTs may operate when influencing behaviour. PURPOSE: To elicit expert consensus on links between BCTs and MoAs. METHODS: In a modified Nominal Group Technique study, 105 international behaviour change experts rated, discussed, and re-rated links between 61 frequently used BCTs and 26 MoAs. The criterion for consensus was that at least 80% of experts reached agreement about a link. Heat maps were used to present the data relating to all possible links. RESULTS: Of 1,586 possible links (61 BCTs × 26 MoAs), 51 of 61 (83.6%) BCTs had a definite link to one or more MoAs (mean (SD) = 1.44 (0.96), range= 1-4), and 20 of 26 (76.9%) MoAs had a definite link to one or more BCTs (mean (SD) = 3.27 (2.91), range=9). Ninety (5.7%) were identified as ‘definite’ links, 464 (29.2%) as ‘definitely not’ links, and 1032 (65.1%) as ‘possible’ or ‘unsure’ links. No ‘definite’ links were identified for 10 BCTs (e.g. ‘Action Planning’ and ‘Behavioural Substitution’) and for six MoAs (e.g. ‘Needs’ and ‘Optimism’). CONCLUSIONS: The matrix of links between BCTs and MoAs provides a basis for those developing and synthesizing behavioural interventions. These links also provide a framework for specifying empirical tests in future studies. Note: This article has been accepted for publication in Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Published by Oxford University Press.