title: Advancing Models and Theories for Digital Behavior Change Interventions.
abstract: To be suitable for informing digital behavior change interventions, theories and models of behavior change need to capture individual variation and changes over time. The aim of this paper is to provide recommendations for development of models and theories that are informed by, and can inform, digital behavior change interventions based on discussions by international experts, including behavioral, computer, and health scientists and engineers. The proposed framework stipulates the use of a state-space representation to define when, where, for whom, and in what state for that person, an intervention will produce a targeted effect. The "state" is that of the individual based on multiple variables that define the "space" when a mechanism of action may produce the effect. A state-space representation can be used to help guide theorizing and identify crossdisciplinary methodologic strategies for improving measurement, experimental design, and analysis that can feasibly match the complexity of real-world behavior change via digital behavior change interventions.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona. Electronic address: ehekler@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Eric B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hekler
authors.affiliation: Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michie
authors.affiliation: Consortium on Technology for Proactive Care, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Misha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavel
authors.affiliation: Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.affiliation: The Methodology Center and Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Consortium on Technology for Proactive Care, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Holly B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Jimison
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garnett
authors.affiliation: Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Skye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parral
authors.affiliation: Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spruijt-Metz
mesh_terms: D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012107:Research Design; D013685:Telecommunications