title: Finding theory- and evidence-based alternatives to fear appeals: Intervention Mapping.
abstract: Fear arousal-vividly showing people the negative health consequences of life-endangering behaviors-is popular as a method to raise awareness of risk behaviors and to change them into health-promoting behaviors. However, most data suggest that, under conditions of low efficacy, the resulting reaction will be defensive. Instead of applying fear appeals, health promoters should identify effective alternatives to fear arousal by carefully developing theory- and evidence-based programs. The Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol helps program planners to optimize chances for effectiveness. IM describes the intervention development process in six steps: (1) assessing the problem and community capacities, (2) specifying program objectives, (3) selecting theory-based intervention methods and practical applications, (4) designing and organizing the program, (5) planning, adoption, and implementation, and (6) developing an evaluation plan. Authors who used IM indicated that it helped in bringing the development of interventions to a higher level.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerjo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.forename: L Kay
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Bartholomew
authors.forename: Guy S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Parcel
authors.forename: Nell H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001364:Awareness; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005239:Fear; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Fear appeals; Health promotion; Intervention Mapping; Program planning