It is stated that the evidence is limited for the sustainability of behaviour change in response to interventions and therefore this current study attempted to provide the current theoretical explanations for behaviour change maintenance [1]. The conditions in which an individual maintains the new behaviour, prevents relapse and/or re-establish the new behaviour after relapse.
The figure below represents a fictional example of the potential changes in behaviour over time following initial behaviour change:
As you can see, following a behaviour change intervention, the newly adopted behaviour may become the dominant response in many contexts. It represents the times when performing the newly adopted behaviour is the dominant response but also when the prior behaviour becomes dominant again. Therefore, the new behaviour is likely to be maintained if it becomes the dominant response across different contexts.
A total of 117 were analysed for this review. These included 100 theories of which 73 were behaviour specific. Analysis brought forward the following themes:
- Maintenance motives: Enjoyment of behaviour and satisfaction with outcomes; Self-determination; Identity
- Self-regulation: Self-regulation need; Self-regulation skill; Self-regulation processes; Lapse, relapse and coping with behavioural barriers
- Habits: Dual process models and habit theories; Learning theories and habit
- Resources: Self-regulation as limited resources; Inter-individual differences in resources and resources availability
- Environment and social influences: Environment; Social Influence; Social change
The results from this review suggest that an individual is likely to attempt to change their behaviour at times when motivation is high and opportunity costs are low. As motivation decreases and costs increase there is a greater need for self-regulation in order to ensure the maintenance of the new behaviour despite the less than optimal conditions.
References:
[1] KWASNICKA, D et al., 2016. Theoretical Explanations for Maintenance of Behaviour Change: A Systematic Review of Behaviour Theories. Health Psychology Review, 10(3), 277-296
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