University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

An examination of the impact of multiple behavior interventions and underlying processes on behavioral and clinical change

White, Benjamin

Content Files
WHITE-DISSERTATION-2021.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113192

Description

Title
An examination of the impact of multiple behavior interventions and underlying processes on behavioral and clinical change
Author(s)
White, Benjamin
Issue Date
2021-07-15
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Albarracin, Dolores
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Albarracin, Dolores
Committee Member(s)
  • Smith, Douglas C
  • Briley, Daniel A
  • Gothe, Neha
  • Laurent, Sean M
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2022-01-12T22:35:14Z
Keyword(s)
  • Mediational Processes
  • Behavior Change
  • Intervention
Abstract
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of multiple behavior interventions to assess the impact of the effects of number of recommendations on change in behavioral and clinical outcomes and proposed a theoretical process framework that categorizes how recommending multiple behavioral changes may result in more substantive change. The framework distinguished non-elaborative processes that require minimal conscious effort from elaborative processes that do. I first tested the presence and shape of a relation between number of recommendations and resulting behavioral and clinical change, with a positive linear relation suggesting non-elaborative processes and a curvilinear relation suggesting elaborative processes. I then test five potential mediators that could explain these processes: behavioral cuing, psychological wellbeing, information, behavioral skills, or motivation. The meta-analysis included 317 papers yielding 638 independent samples collected from a variety of populations and encompassing lifestyle, HIV, and substance use interventions. Results showed a positive effect of recommendations regardless of number of recommendations, suggesting non-elaborative processes may account for the majority of benefits. These processes appeared to be mediated by changes in well-being and, to a lesser extent, information and were found to help establish behavior change but not maintain it.
Graduation Semester
2021-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113192
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Benjamin White

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