How Effective are Behavior Change Interventions Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior?

Abstract

Abstract. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a prominent framework for predicting and explaining behavior in a variety of domains. The theory is also increasingly being used as a framework for conducting behavior change interventions. In this meta-analysis, we identified 82 papers reporting results of 123 interventions in a variety of disciplines. Our analysis confirmed the effectiveness of TPB-based interventions, with a mean effect size of .50 for changes in behavior and effect sizes ranging from .14 to .68 for changes in antecedent variables (behavioral, normative, and control beliefs, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention). Further analyses revealed that the interventions’ effectiveness varied for the diverse behavior change methods. In addition, interventions conducted in public and with groups were more successful than interventions in private locations or focusing on individuals. Finally, we identified gender and education as well as behavioral domain as moderators of the interventions’ effectiveness.

A Theory-Based Smoking Intervention for Chinese High School Students: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation

“…As mentioned above, previous smoking interventions claiming to be based on the TPB usually lack evidence to support this assertion (Hardeman et al, 2002;Sutton, 2015). TPB-based interventions have successfully changed a number of health behaviours (Steinmetz et al, 2016) but, as the findings of Study 2 showed, adolescent smoking is a behaviour involving various contextual factors. Therefore, although the TPB provides a framework to understand adolescent smoking in China, to achieve the successful changes in attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control might need considerations of other layers rather than only focusing on the constructs (Ingham, 1993;Mielewczyk & Willig, 2007).…”

“…Looking at the development of the TPB itself, of note is that Ajzen (1991) has realised this importance of context as he has incorporated PBC into a former theory and emphasised specific context, Health conception National contexts, history, tobacco price Social meanings, media Psychological theories time, and participants. Although the TPB is often categorised as a social cognition theory operating at an individual level, a review of TPB-based interventions found that programmes have better outcomes when they are conducted in groups rather than individuals (Steinmetz et al, 2016). However, how to specifically manage the contextual factors and group dynamics is definitely beyond the TPB.…”

“…The choice of this theory is based on the TPB's robust ability to predict intentions and behaviours as well as to design behavioural change interventions (Ajzen, 2011;Armitage & Conner, 2001;Schwenk & Möser, 2009;Steinmetz, Knappstein, Ajzen, Schmidt, & Kabst, 2016). Furthermore, as opposed to other psychological theories often used for behavioural change, the TPB is considered to be highly specific with clear operationalised guidelines (Sutton, 2015).…”

“…Consistent with this scope, the initial aim was to explore the psychological mechanisms underlying Chinese young adults' smoking behaviour. Among well-established psychological theories, the TPB is widely used in health behaviour interventions (Steinmetz et al, 2016). Its parsimonious structure-comprising only 4 main psychological constructsas well as the specific guidelines provide clear foci to implement in interventions (Sutton, 2015).…”

“…In addition to meta-analytic evidence for TPB interventions including among adolescents (Steinmetz et al, 2016), the TPB is able to encapsulate relevant psychological factors associated with smoking among Chinese high school students (Davey et al, 2014;Zhao et al, 2017) but its ability to inform an effective intervention in this context remains unknown.…”