Behavioral Science Approach Research Articles

SA16 Technology-Assisted Adaptive Recruitment Strategy for a National Study of Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccines and Levels of Sars-COV-2 Neutralising Antibody in the Bruneian Population

SA16 Technology-Assisted Adaptive Recruitment Strategy for a National Study of Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccines and Levels of Sars-COV-2 Neutralising Antibody in the Bruneian Population

Electricity saving receipt as electricity consumption efficiency innovation using behavioral economic science approach

The demand for electrical energy in Indonesia continues to increase in line with the increase of population. The government through PT. PLN continues to increase the production of electrical energy using fossil energy sources. As a result of diminishing fossil energy sources, the government expects public participation to maintain the sustainability of the electrical energy supply by performing efficient use of electricity. One of the efforts that can be made and the goal of this research is to practice the innovation of electricity-saving receipts. The electricity-saving receipt innovation is an innovation that combines the concepts of behavioral economics, efficiency, self-control, and sustainable development. This innovation seeks to make the public know and be able to compare the electricity consumption of their household with those of nearby households. This research was performed using experimental method and the first conducted in Indonesia. The research design used is Pre-Experimental Design with the one-group pre-test and post-test design model. This research was conducted in Cihideung Udik Village, Ciampea District, Bogor Regency. Bogor Regency from March to July 2021. The choice of research location was done purposively. This study used primary and secondary data from PT. PLN. The result of this research is related to the knowledge of electricity subsidies with an increase of 45%. Likewise with the 3M movement (Turn Off, Unplug, and Set) shows an increase of 80%. Regarding the average use of electrical energy per KWH, it was decreased by 32 KWH for 900 VA power users and 34 KWH for 450 VA power users. The innovation of electricity-saving receipts is the realization of the 7th SDGs goal.

Challenging Anti-Black Racism across the Curriculum: Situating the Social Work Legacy and Moving Forward

ABSTRACT As an introduction for a special journal volume on Challenging Anti-Black Racism across the Social Work Curriculum, this paper situates the volume’s contributions within a larger anti-racist tradition in social work including the often overlooked legacy of the profession’s Black leaders. It discusses multiple strands of anti-racist social work scholarship that provide scaffolding to support current and future anti-racist practices and thought. These include the paradigm shift from cultural competence to critical race theory; interpersonal and behavioral science approaches; Afrocentric perspectives; and decolonization theory. The article previews the volume’s contributions which both reflect these traditions and move beyond them. We argue that the endemic nature of anti-Black racism in the U.S. demands special attention in the social work curriculum.

Behavioural optimisation to address trial conduct challenges: case study in the UK-REBOA trial

BackgroundClinical trials comprise multiple processes at various stages of the trial lifecycle. These processes often involve complex behaviours such as recruiting vulnerable patient populations and clinicians having to deliver complex trial interventions successfully. Few studies have utilised a behavioural framework to assess challenges and develop strategies for effective trial recruitment and delivery of trial interventions. This study reports the application of an innovative methodological approach to understand core trial processes, namely recruitment and intervention delivery, using a behavioural science approach to develop strategies designed to mitigate trial process problems.MethodsThe UK-REBOA trial aims to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (a novel intervention) in injured patients with exsanguinating haemorrhage. A behavioural investigation (‘diagnosis’) was conducted using theory-informed (Theoretical Domains Framework, TDF) semi-structured interviews with site staff from the UK-REBOA trial to examine trial processes which could be improved in relation to trial recruitment and delivery of the intervention. Interviews were analysed using the TDF to identify influences on behaviour, which were then mapped to techniques for behaviour change and developed into potential solutions.ResultsThe behavioural diagnosis of the challenges experienced during trial processes highlighted factors relevant to a range of TDF domains: Skills, Environmental context and resources, Beliefs about capabilities, Beliefs about consequences, Social influences, and Memory, attention, and decision-making processes. Within the solution development phase, we identified 24 suitable behaviour change techniques that were developed into proposed solutions to target reported process problems with the aim of changing behaviour to improve recruitment and/or intervention delivery. Proposed solutions included targeted changes to trial training content, suggestions to restructure the environment (e.g. reinforced the purpose of the trial with information about the social and environmental consequences) and other strategies to reduce barriers to recruitment and intervention delivery.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of applying a behavioural approach to investigate (‘diagnose’) behavioural trial process problems and subsequently develop and implement targeted solutions (‘treatment’) in an active trauma trial. Understanding the factors that affected behaviour, attitudes and beliefs in this trauma trial allowed us to implement theoretically informed, evidence-based solutions designed to enhance trial practices.Trial registrationISRCTN 16,184,981

Administrasi Pendidikan Islam dan Seni Mengelolanya

This article is oriented to uncover and review the administration development, the formulation of the administration of Islamic education, and the art of managing it. This article examined the literature on the administration of education that usually refers to the west and adapts it to the administration of Islamic education and then manages it with the arts and principles of Islam (Qur'an and Hadith) as well as other Islamic thinkers and the author described it systematically. The results of the article: (1). Development of Islamic education administration through 4 stages (classical organization theory, human relations approach, behavioral science approach, post-behavioral-science approach era), (2). Formulation of Islamic education administration: implementing planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, and budgeting which is integrated with the approach of human relationships (meeting the needs of employees, motivation, and the relationship of subordinates and managers) based on Islamic principles. (3). The art of management: strategy (shaping human resources as agents of change in Islam, planning Islamic-based education administration model), implementation (controlling the suitability of planning and implementation, leaders provide motivation, fostering, paying attention to subordinates and participating directly, implications (results and impacts of implementation evaluated and improved) to conform to the principle of continuous improvement.

How can behavioural science contribute to qualitative research on antimicrobial stewardship in primary care?

Antibiotic use (and misuse) accelerates antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and addressing this complex problem necessitates behaviour change related to infection prevention and management and to antibiotic prescribing and use. As most antibiotic courses are prescribed in primary care, a key focus of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is on changing behaviours outside of hospital. Behavioural science draws on behaviour change theories, techniques and methods developed in health psychology, and can be used to help understand and change behaviours related to AMR/AMS. Qualitative methodologies can be used together with a behavioural science approach to explore influences on behaviour and develop and evaluate behavioural interventions. This paper provides an overview of how the behavioural science approach, together with qualitative methods, can contribute and add value to AMS projects. First, it introduces and explains the relevance of the behavioural science approach to AMR/AMS. Second, it provides an overview of behaviour change ‘tools’: behaviour change theories/models, behavioural determinants and behaviour change techniques. Third, it explains how behavioural methods can be used to: (i) define a clinical problem in behavioural terms and identify behavioural influences; (ii) develop and implement behavioural AMS interventions; and (iii) evaluate them. These are illustrated with examples of using qualitative methods in AMS studies in primary care. Finally, the paper concludes by summarizing the main contributions of taking the behavioural science approach to qualitative AMS research in primary care and discussing the key implications and future directions for research and practice.

Tracing the missteps of stepped care: Improving the implementation of stepped care through contextual behavioral science

Stepped care is an organizational model of healthcare service provision that organizes interventions into a hierarchy from least-to-most intensive, intrusive, and costly. The intervention intensity should be based on feasibility, cost, severity of the presenting case, and patient and clinician preferences. Patients can be “stepped” up or down, depending on progress. Despite the rich, theoretical literature suggesting the effectiveness of stepped care, its implementation is accompanied by challenges that impede its proliferation in applied settings. This paper provides a review of the barriers to stepped care, including negative perceptions, tendency toward defensive medicine, lack of guidance in decision-making, the need for measurement tools designed for stepped care, and healthcare system factors that discourage stepped care. Specific recommendations are discussed for how a contextual behavioral science approach can reduce barriers to implementing stepped care models of behavioral health service delivery.

Two randomized controlled trials for colorectal cancer screening invitations developed using a behavioral science approach

The effectiveness of behaviorally informed, targeted invitations to standard invitations and to no invitation (control arm, primary analysis) were compared in the context of an organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program. Two multi-arm, pragmatic randomized controlled trials in men (arms: male-specific, unisex, standard invitation, or no invitation) and in women (arms: unisex, standard invitation, or no invitation), were conducted in Ontario, Canada. Eligible persons aged 50–74, due for CRC screening, were randomized. Primary and secondary outcomes were completion of the guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and uptake of any colorectal test, respectively, within 5 months of mailing. Impact of invitation type was assessed using logistic regression. Letters were mailed to 75,810 men and women; 38,673 males and 34,453 females were included in the analyses. Men who received the male-specific letter were most likely to screen with gFOBT compared to controls (odds ratio (OR) 7·24, 95% CI: 5·77, 9·09), followed by those receiving the unisex letter (OR 6·75, 95% CI: 5·37, 8·47) and the standard letter (OR 5·99, 95% CI: 4·76, 7·53). Women who received the unisex letter were most likely to be screened with gFOBT compared to controls (OR 7·07, 95% CI: 5·83, 8·59), followed by those receiving the standard letter (OR 6·76, 95% CI: 5·56, 8·21). In both trials, the findings were similar for the secondary outcome. Mailed invitations were effective for both men and women. With greater targeting using the behaviorally informed invitations, the magnitude of benefit relative to no invitation appeared to increase. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02364895).

What am I doing here? Enablers and barriers to community-based cardiac rehabilitation attendance: a qualitative study utilising a behavioural science approach

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Community Engaged Scholars Programme (CES-P), PPI Ignite, National University of Ireland, Galway Background Despite the well-established benefits of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation, programme uptake rates remain suboptimal. Delivering cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in the community offers an alternative model of care that may help address the challenges that exist around uptake and accessibility of CR. Yet in comparison to traditional hospital based CR programmes less is known about the enablers and barriers that may be unique to attending community based CR programmes. Purpose This study aimed to identify enablers and barriers to attending and completing a community-based CR programme from the patient perspective. Methods Individuals who were referred to a 12 week, interdisciplinary, multi-component community-based CR programme were invited to take part in semi-structured interviews. Reasons for attending or not attending the programme and for completing or not completing the full programme were discussed. Purposeful sampling was used to obtain variation in age, gender, and level of engagement with the programme. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis guided by the Capability Opportunity Motivation (COM B) Model and the Theoretical Domains Framework, to explore initial attendance and programme completion. Results Data saturation was achieved with sixteen participants. The majority of the identified barriers and enablers were common to both initial programme attendance and completion of programme. Having the social opportunity to receive support from peers, family members and staff was seen as an important enabler. While ease of access to a programme based in the community enabled attendance and completion, for some, distance to the cardiac rehabilitation centre was a barrier. Further barriers related to capability issues regarding poor physical health, time, work commitments and travel. Key motivational enablers included, beliefs around consequences, improved health status, knowledge, goals, intentions and personality. Identity was an important determinant of attendance as participants discussed their understanding of "what am I doing here?" Some participants identified themselves as the type of person who would benefit from the programme and others did not. For example, some felt the programme would suit those who needed motivation to enhance their health and some felt the programme was more or less suited to people of different ages and fitness levels. Conclusion The results suggest that interventions to enhance attendance at community-based CR need to address multiple factors related to capability, opportunity and motivation. While there is no one model of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation that will meet the needs of all patients, patients should be offered community based programmes as part of a choice of options that fit their needs and personal preferences.

CBE: A Framework to Guide the Application of Marketing to Behavior Change

Background: This paper aims to extend the application of social marketing to social and environmentally beneficial behavior change providing a three-step process—Co-create-Build-Engage (CBE). The key strength social marketing brings to the social change space is the development of something of value that moves and motivates people to voluntarily change their behavior; in turn benefitting themselves, the planet and society at large. Method: Using a case study method, this paper identifies how up to eight marketing principles, initially penned to distinguish social marketing from public health, are applied in the three step CBE process, using first time program development and implementation examples. First, programs are co-created (C) with people at the heart of the problem and built (B) to create and embed lasting solutions and finally communities are engaged (E) to partake in these programs. This linear process is applied in first time program development and stages blur following first time implementation as CBE steps become continuous when programs are embedded into communities. This paper outlines four cases demonstrating when and where key marketing activities were applied to co-create, build and implement social marketing programs that achieved behavioral change. Results: Included is a roadmap of the activities that occurred in first time program development and implementation across each stage of the three step CBE process. During co-creation competition is assessed and groups are identified (segmentation). Formative research programs are theoretically underpinned and human centred (customer orientation) and solely aimed at identifying insights to guide program build and engagement. Elements of the marketing mix focus program build ensuring that a valued exchange offering is built. Engagement represents the initial implementation phase and encompasses the set of activities that focus on ensuring people are aware of and can adopt the program. Recommendations for Research or Practice: Many of the foundational techniques that distinguish social marketing from other behavioral science approaches are not widely adopted. This paper offers a roadmap to demonstrate how and when core social marketing activities can be applied to effect voluntary behavior change. Volitional change avoids stigmatization, alienation, reactance and community divides, which occur when behaviors are mandated or when people are told what to do. The CBE process provides a process, outlining social marketing’s key principles and the set of activities that are applied to build more effective marketing programs.

Unearthing citizens' acceptance factors for e‐participation initiatives through Facebook

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the determinant factors for citizens' acceptance of e‐participation initiatives that are sponsored by local governments through Facebook. The study proposes a model integrating the task‐technology fit theory and technology acceptance model with two additional factors: perceived outcome and government truthfulness. A self‐developed questionnaire was designed, and the conceptual model proposed was tested by applying the structural equation modeling method to a sample of 414 citizens from Jordan using a random sampling technique. The results indicated that citizens' attitude was the strongest predictor of citizens' acceptance, followed by the perceived outcome. The results also revealed the importance of task‐technology fit and perceived usefulness in shaping and explaining citizens' attitudes, which further lead to citizens' acceptance. Government truthfulness had no direct effect on citizens' acceptance. However, it positively affected the perceived outcome. The study makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of e‐participation research as it contributes to recent efforts toward understanding the citizen perspective of e‐participation initiatives. This study heeds the call to enrich e‐participation via theoretical underpinnings, particularly via the behavioral science approach of information systems. The study followed this approach by understanding the impact of citizen's beliefs, technological capabilities and the expected outcome to predict citizens' acceptance behavior toward e‐participation. Finally, the study provides several recommendations to help local governments in their pursuit to increase citizen participation.

Report of the ACBS Task Force on the strategies and tactics of contextual behavioral science research

Throughout its history the strategy and tactics of contextual behavioral science (CBS) research have had distinctive features as compared to traditional behavioral science approaches. Continued progress in CBS research can be facilitated by greater clarity about how its strategy and tactics can be brought to bear on current challenges. The present white paper is the result of a 2 1/2-year long process designed to foster consensus among representative producers and consumers of CBS research about the best strategic pathway forward. The Task Force agreed that CBS research should be multilevel, process-based, multidimensional, prosocial, and pragmatic, and provided 33 recommendations to the CBS community arranged across these characteristics. In effect, this report provides a detailed research agenda designed to maximize the impact of CBS as a field. Scientists and practitioners are encouraged to mount this ambitious agenda.

Addressing obesity in Northern Ireland: a mapping study of obesity-related policies and services using a behavioural science approach

Addressing obesity in Northern Ireland: a mapping study of obesity-related policies and services using a behavioural science approach

Obesity prevention in the early years: A mapping study of national policies in England from a behavioural science perspective.

Evidence indicates that early life is critical for determining future obesity risk. A sharper policy focus on pregnancy and early childhood could help improve obesity prevention efforts. This study aimed to systematically identify and categorise policy levers used in England with potential to influence early life course (pregnancy, 0-5 years) and identify how these interface with energy balance behaviours. The objective is to identify gaps and where further policy actions could most effectively focus. A behavioural science approach was taken using the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework. The key determinants of energy balance in the early years were identified from the Foresight Systems Map. Policy actions were scoped systematically from available literature, including any health or non-health policies which could impact on energy balance behaviours. Foresight variables and policy actions were considered in terms of COM-B and the BCW to determine approaches likely to be effective for obesity prevention and treatment. Existing policies were overlaid across the map of key risk factors to identify gaps in obesity prevention and treatment provision. A wide range of policy actions were identified (n = 115) to address obesity-relevant risk factors. These were most commonly educational or guidelines relating to environmental restructuring (i.e. changing the physical or social context). Scope for strengthening policies relating to the food system (e.g. the market price of food) and psychological factors contributing to obesity were identified. Policies acted via all aspects of the COM-B model, but there was scope for improving policies to increase capability through skills acquisition and both reflective and automatic motivation. There is substantial policy activity to address early years obesity but much is focused on education. Scope exists to strengthen actions relating to upstream policies which act on food systems and those targeting psychological factors contributing to obesity risk.

Mission Bharat Bane Surkshit: Safety of Corporate India by Behavioural Science Approach

Mission Bharat Bane Surkshit: Safety of Corporate India by Behavioural Science Approach

Mitigating behavioral assimilation to age stereotypes: A preliminary analogue investigation of a contextual behavioral science approach

Behavioral assimilation to age stereotypes (BAAS) is referred to as the behavioral phenomenon of impaired task performance among older adults that is consistent with negative aging-related stereotypes. This laboratory study evaluated the inoculating effect of a contextual behavioral science (CBS)-informed intervention on a cognitive performance task (i.e., Block Design) among Japanese older adults who were primed with a negative aging-related stereotype. Fifty-nine older adult participants were randomly assigned to either the CBS-informed intervention group (n = 30) or attention-placebo control group (n = 29). The CBS-informed intervention group completed a self-as-observer exercise and rapid word repetition defusion task, whereas the attention-placebo control group received general conversation with the experimenter. The CBS-informed group showed significantly greater scores on the Block Design task than the attention-placebo control group. Fusion with a conceptualized self did not moderate the intervention effect. Limitations and implications of results are discussed.

The development of health behaviour change interventions for childhood cancer survivors: The need for a behavioural science approach.

The development of health behaviour change interventions for childhood cancer survivors: The need for a behavioural science approach.

Reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the UK: A behavioural science approach to identifying options for increasing adherence to social distancing and shielding vulnerable people.

PurposeTo describe and discuss a systematic method for producing a very rapid response (3 days) to a UK government policy question in the context of reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission.MethodsA group of behavioural and social scientists advising the UK government on COVID‐19 contributed to the analysis and writing of advice through the Government Office for Science. The question was as follows: What are the options for increasing adherence to social distancing (staying at home except for essential journeys and work) and shielding vulnerable people (keeping them at home and away from others)? This was prior to social distancing legislation being implemented. The first two authors produced a draft, based on analysis of the current government guidance and the application of the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework to identify and evaluate the options.ResultsFor promoting social distancing, 10 options were identified for improving adherence. They covered improvements in ways of achieving the BCW intervention types of education, persuasion, incentivization, and coercion. For promoting shielding of vulnerable people, four options were identified covering the BCW intervention types of incentivization, coercion, and enablement.ConclusionsResponding to policymakers very rapidly as has been necessary during the COVID‐19 pandemic can be facilitated by using a framework to structure the thinking and reporting of multidisciplinary academics and policymakers.

Retrospective cohort study of a novel acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention for adolescents implemented in integrated primary care

To address limited access to behavioral health services in primary care, we conducted a preliminary effectiveness study of a novel acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment implemented within pediatric integrated primary care (ACT-IPC) using a retrospective cohort study design. Participants included 110 youth referred after psychological evaluation between 2015 and 2019. ACT-IPC was implemented in nine sessions; participants had a variety of primary psychiatric diagnoses and were predominantly White (93%) and female (81%) with an average age of 15.1 (SD = 1.5). Anxiety (d = −0.71) and depression (d = −0.54) symptoms improved significantly, as did psychological inflexibility (d = −0.52). Additionally, up to three individualized treatment goals were established and tracked weekly. These outcomes also improved significantly (d = −.69 to d = −1.42), and the first two goals evidenced the majority of improvement within approximately the first half of treatment. Reliable and clinically significant change was promising on all outcomes, and few iatrogenic effects were observed. Of note, concurrent individual therapy and psychotropic medication were prevalent within the sample and were not associated with improved outcomes. Overall, findings provide preliminary transdiagnostic effectiveness and feasibility of ACT-IPC and represent a positive example of a reticulated contextual behavioral science approach to treatment development.

Behaviour change in diabetes: behavioural science advancements to support the use of theory

Behaviour is central to the management of diabetes, both for people living with diabetes and for healthcare professionals delivering evidence-based care. This review outlines the evolution of behavioural science and the application of theoretical models in diabetes care over the past 25 years. There has been a particular advancement in the development of tools and techniques to support researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers in taking a theory-based approach, and to enhance the development, reporting and replication of successful interventions. Systematic guidance, theoretical frameworks and lists of behavioural techniques provide the tools to specify target behaviours, identify why ideal behaviours are not implemented, systematically develop theory-based interventions, describe intervention content using shared terminology, and evaluate their effects. Several examples from a range of diabetes-related behaviours (clinic attendance, self-monitoring of blood glucose, retinal screening, setting collaborative goals in diabetes) and populations (people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, healthcare professionals) illustrate the potential for these approaches to be widely translated into diabetes care. The behavioural science approaches outlined in this review give healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers the tools to deliver care and design interventions with an evidence-based understanding of behaviour. The challenge for the next 25 years is to refine the tools to increase their use and advocate for the role of theoretical models and behavioural science in the commissioning, funding and delivery of diabetes care.