Wanted: A Theoretical Roadmap to Research and Practice Across Individual, Interpersonal, and Structural Levels of Analysis

Abstract

Investigators routinely acknowledge the existence and relevance of the different systems that regulate behavior, yet their empirical work remains focused on processes that operate within a single system. In order for investigators to conduct basic and applied initiatives that cross levels of analysis, theoretical principles are needed that delimit the interplay between different systems. Thus, a systematic effort is needed to integrate behavior change principles across levels or systems. As shown in this supplement, the proposed integration is necessary, likely impactful, and timely, and derived from the work of researchers from basic and applied areas who agreed to undertake this initiative as part of expert teams who would interact in person during a 2-day conference that took place Atlanta, GA in 2009. A number of observations detailed below motivated the organization of the team work leading to this supplement of AIDS and Behavior.