OBJECTIVES: We integrated and compared meta-analytic findings across diverse behavioral interventions to characterize how well they have achieved change in health behavior. METHODS: Outcomes from 62 meta-analyses of interventions for change in health behavior were quantitatively synthesized, including 1011 primary-level investigations with 599,559 participants. Content coding suggested 6 behavioral domains: eating and physical activity, sexual behavior, addictive behaviors, stress management, female-specific screening and intervention behaviors, and behaviors involving use of health services. RESULTS: Behavior change interventions were efficacious (mean effect sizes = 0.08-0.45). Behavior change was more evident in more recent meta-analyses; those that sampled older interventions and literatures or sampled more published articles; those that included studies that relied on self-report, used briefer interventions, or sampled fewer, older, or female participants; and in some domains (e.g., stress management) more than others (e.g., sexual behaviors). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions improved health-related behaviors; however, efficacy varied as a function of participant and intervention characteristics. This meta-synthesis provides information about the efficacy of behavioral change interventions across health domains and populations; this knowledge can inform the design and development of public health interventions and future meta-analyses of these studies.
OBJECTIVES: We integrated and compared meta-analytic findings across diverse behavioral interventions to characterize how well they have achieved change in health behavior. METHODS: Outcomes from 62 meta-analyses of interventions for change in health behavior were quantitatively synthesized, including 1011 primary-level investigations with 599,559 participants. Content coding suggested 6 behavioral domains: eating and physical activity, sexual behavior, addictive behaviors, stress management, female-specific screening and intervention behaviors, and behaviors involving use of health services. RESULTS: Behavior change interventions were efficacious (mean effect sizes = 0.08-0.45). Behavior change was more evident in more recent meta-analyses; those that sampled older interventions and literatures or sampled more published articles; those that included studies that relied on self-report, used briefer interventions, or sampled fewer, older, or female participants; and in some domains (e.g., stress management) more than others (e.g., sexual behaviors). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions improved health-related behaviors; however, efficacy varied as a function of participant and intervention characteristics. This meta-synthesis provides information about the efficacy of behavioral change interventions across health domains and populations; this knowledge can inform the design and development of public health interventions and future meta-analyses of these studies.
Authors: Judy Y Tan; Tania B Huedo-Medina; Michelle R Warren; Michael P Carey; Blair T Johnson Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2011-10-01 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Lisa A Eaton; Tania B Huedo-Medina; Seth C Kalichman; Jennifer A Pellowski; Michael J Sagherian; Michelle Warren; Ami R Popat; Blair T Johnson Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-09-20 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Lori A J Scott-Sheldon; Kate B Carey; Tyler S Kaiser; Jennifer M Knight; Michael P Carey Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2016-05-16 Impact factor: 4.267