Getting beyond technical rationality in developing health behavior programs with youth.
OBJECTIVE
To explore 2 major components of health behavior research, etiologic research and action research. To argue that action research is both an artistic as well as scientific process.


METHODS
Review of the development process of effective health behavior programs with youth. Review of literature on art as part of the scientific process, especially in the field of education.


RESULTS
Intervention programs that included explicitly creative components demonstrated success in reducing alcohol use and increasing healthful eating and activity patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
Health behavior researchers might involve art and creativity in action research to enhance program retention and outcomes.
Perry
Cheryl L
CL
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. perry@epi.umn.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D001154:Art; D002648:Child; D003405:Creativity; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic