title: Applying Psychological Theories to Promote Long-Term Maintenance of Health Behaviors.
abstract: Behavioral health theory provides a framework for researchers to design, implement, and evaluate the effects of health promotion programs. However, limited research has examined theories used in interventions to promote long-term maintenance of health behaviors. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the available literature and identify prominent behavioral health theories used in intervention research to promote maintenance of health behaviors. We reviewed theories used in intervention research assessing long-term maintenance (≥ 6 months post-intervention) of physical activity, weight loss, and smoking cessation. Five prominent behavioral theories were referenced by the 34 studies included in the review: Self-Determination Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, Transtheoretical Model, and Social Ecological Model. Descriptions and examples of applications of these theories are provided. Implications for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3 Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602-496-0884.
authors.forename: Rodney P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Public Health, 450 Brookline Avenue, LW 642, Boston, MA 02215-5450, 617-582-7174.
authors.forename: Casey L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.affiliation: Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown University School of Medicine and The Miriam Hospital, Coro West Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, 401-793-8009.
authors.forename: Herpreet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thind
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 Ryals Public Health Building, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, 205-934-6020 (phone).
authors.forename: Tanya J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Benitez
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 Ryals Public Health Building, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, 205-975-8061 (phone).
authors.forename: Dori
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pekmezi
keywords: behavioral theory; health behavior; physical activity; public health; smoking cessation; weight loss