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The role of theory in intervention science
Book chapter

The role of theory in intervention science

Laura N. Gitlin and Sara J. Czaja
Handbook of Intervention Science: From Design to Implementation, pp 87-112
01 Jan 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21664-0.00027-1

Abstract

Behavior change Mediators Moderators Theory
A central tenet of this handbook is the importance of theory in the development, adaptation, and implementation of behavioral interventions. Theory also plays a crucial role in hypothesis generation and the interpretation of findings from an intervention trial. In this chapter, we discuss the role of theory in each stage of the intervention pipeline, from development to efficacy/effectiveness testing to implementation and dissemination. Additionally, we present examples of theories commonly used to guide behavioral interventions. We also provide principles to help with the selection of a theory relevant to a public health issue and discuss challenges that arise when using theory to guide intervention development. Choosing a theory can be challenging given the large number of theories advanced to explain behavior. Our goal is to demonstrate how theory can be incorporated into behavioral interventions and how the use of theory can provide valuable insights as to the way in which components of an intervention can lead to behavior change.

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