Iris Kanera

14 Chapter 1 Behavior change methods When developing interventions to change behavior, methods for behavior change need to be applied to change the determinants of the specific behavior. The Intervention Mapping taxonomy of behavior change methods provides a toolbox to select adequate methods during intervention development (Kok et al., 2015). In addition to the previously described behavior explanation models, health behavior change is a dynamic process with a series of awareness, intention, initiation, routinizing, and maintenance phases. This process is influenced by pre-motivational determinants (e.g., knowledge, risk perception, awareness), motivational determinants (e.g., intention, attitude, self-efficacy, social influences), and post motivational determinants (e.g., ability to prepare and execute plans to achieve goals and to overcome potential barriers; Bolman et al., 2015; de Vries, Eggers, & Bolman, 2013; Sniehotta et al., 2005). Behavior change methods such as personalized feedback and consciousness- raising can be used to increase awareness and risk perception. Moreover, methods such as elaboration and arguments can be applied to change attitudes and to provide personally relevant information (Abraham & Michie, 2008; Kok et al., 2015). Modeling can be used to reinforce the desired action by targeting for instance abilities and self-efficacy. Furthermore, goal setting, actionplanning, copingplanning, and self-monitoringcan change andmaintain the new behavior (Bolman et al., 2015; Kok et al., 2015). A theoretical framework is needed to explain how the mechanisms of behavior change work and why relationships between behavior change methods and behavior change can be expected (Kok et al., 2015). Possible theories that explain health behavior change and provide suggestions for behavior change methods include theTranstheoretical Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983), the Precaution Adoption Model (Weinstein & Sandman, 1992), the Relapse Prevention Theory (Larimer, Palmer, & Marlatt, 1999; Marlatt & Gordon, 1985), the Self-Regulation Theory (Baumeister, Heatherton, & Tice, 1994), and the Integrated Model for Change (I-Change Model; de Vries et al., 2003). In addition, principles of Problem-Solving Therapy (PST; D’Zurilla & Nezu, 2007) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT; Bleijenberget al., 2007) can provide behavior change methods and practical applications to increase adequate self-management that is defined as “the individual’s ability to manage the symptoms, treatment, physical and psychosocial consequences and lifestyle changes inherent in living with a chronic condition. Efficacious self-management encompasses ability to monitor one’s condition and to effect the cognitive, behavioral and emotional responses necessary to maintain a satisfactory quality of life. Thus, a dynamic and continuous process of self-regulation is established” (Barlow, Wright, Sheasby, Turner, & Hainsworth, 2002). PST includes emphasis on determinants such as a positive attitude towards facing the problem, and strategies such as identifying the problem, exploring alternatives, setting goals, and planning, performing, and evaluating specific actions. Useful methods to enhance self-management provided within CBT can be monitoring behavior and/or thoughts, challenging dysfunctional cognitions, and