Multiple-behaviour change technique interventions
Combining self-affirmation, theory of planned behaviour messages, and implementation intentions to reduce students’ alcohol consumption.
2017
In this study we aimed to reduce alcohol consumption in university students. We allocated people to one of 8 groups (see below)
An intervention tried to make students more accepting of health risk information (i.e., self affirmation intervention)
An intervention that persuaded them of the health risks (i.e., health messages based on the theory of planned behaviour)
An intervention that helped them plan to change their intentions into actual behaviour (i.e., implementation intentions).
Both self affirmation and implementation intentions
Both implementations and health messages
Both self affirmation and health messages
All 3 interventions
No intervention control
At 6 month follow up we found that those who received the health messages reported less intention to drink and actually drank less alcohol.
A theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students (U@Uni LifeGuide): Results from a repeat trial.
2015
In this study we tried to change the health behaviours of students by intervening just before they start university.
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Half of the students were given access to a web based intervention and half were not given access (control group). The intervention aimed to change binge drinking, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, inadequate physical activity and cigarette smoking.
The intervention tried to make students more accepting of health risk information (i.e., self affirmation intervention), persuaded them of the health risks (i.e., health messages based on the theory of planned behaviour) and helped them plan to change their intentions into actual behaviour (i.e., implementation intentions).
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We found that after 1 and 6 month follow up there were no differences between the two groups.
The cost-effectiveness of an updated theory-based online health behavior intervention for new university students: U@Uni2.
2016
This study looked at the cost effectiveness of the U@Uni2 trial.
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To do this we use a measure called Quality Adjusted Life Years (it converts the number of extra years you would live if you adjusted your behaviour to a monetary value).
The intervention was found not to be effective in the short term as it cost £45.97 per person at initial implementation but for roll out at a different institution would cost £10.43. But over a lifetime it is likely to be cost effective due to the small changes in behaviour in the intervention group.
A theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students (U@Uni): Results from a randomised controlled trial.
2014
I tried to change the health behaviours of students by intervening just before they start university.
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Half of the students were given access to a web and app based intervention and half were not given access (control group). The intervention aimed to change binge drinking, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, inadequate physical activity and cigarette smoking.
The intervention tried to make students more accepting of health risk information (i.e., self affirmation intervention), persuaded them of the health risks (i.e., health messages based on the theory of planned behaviour) and helped them plan to change their intentions into actual behaviour (i.e., implementation intentions).
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We found that after 6 months there were fewer smokers in the intervention than the control group but no effects on any of the other behaviours.
The cost-effectiveness of a theory-based online health behavior intervention for new university students: An economic evaluation.
2014
We conducted an economic evaluation of the U@Uni study i.e., to see if it would be cost effective.
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To do this we use a measure called Quality Adjusted Life Years (it converts the number of extra years you would live if you adjusted your behaviour to a monetary value).
The intervention was found not to be effective in the short term as it cost £292 per person at initial implementation but for roll out at a different institution would cost £19.71 per person. The roll out to other universities would be extremely likely be cost effective due to the effect of the intervention on reducing smoking.
Development of theory based health messages: Three phase programme of formative research.
2015
The health messages used in the U@Uni studies were based on the theory of planned behaviour. The theory states that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behaviour control influence intentions which in turn influences behaviour.
Attitudes are the positive and negative evaluations we have about a behaviour; these are underpinned by behavioural beliefs (e.g., fruit and vegetables are boring).
Subjective norms are our perception of other people’s approval or disapproval about a behaviour these are based on normative beliefs (e.g., my friends approve of my binge drinking).
Perceived behavioural control is about the barriers that stop our behaviour and facilitators that enable our behaviour; these are underpinned by control beliefs (e.g., exercising is expensive).
To develop the messages for each of the behaviours (eating fruit and vegetables, engaging in physical activity, not binge drinking and not smoking) we went through a 3 phase process to ensure the messages were relevant to University of Sheffield Students.
6th form students were asked to list their beliefs about the 4 behaviours (e.g., positive and negative evaluations, who would approve or disapprove and barriers and enablers). The few most popular reasons were used in phase
Students about to attend university completed questionnaires that asked about each of the selected beliefs, attitudes etc., and intentions. Their behaviour was also measured once they attended university. The beliefs that most predicted their behaviour at university were selected to use in phase 3.
We asked current University of Sheffield students for details to base the messages on in order to encourage positive beliefs and discourage negative beliefs. E.g., we identified places and activities where they could exercise for free.