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Table 4 Theory-based methods and practical applications per determinant (motivational and volitional phase)

From: Development of a computer-tailored nutrition and physical activity intervention for lower-educated women of Dutch, Turkish and Moroccan origin using content matching and ethnic identity tailoring

Determinant

Methoda

Theoretical/empirical foundation

Parameter for use

Practical application

Motivational phase

    

 Awareness

Descriptive and evaluative feedback

[41]

Feedback to raise awareness should be followed by increase in problem solving ability and self-efficacy

Written message reflecting the recipient’s health behavior

Graphic indicating whether the recipient adheres to the norm of the health behavior (traffic light system)

 Knowledge

Active learning

[82]

Time, information and skills

Written facts about fruit, vegetables, snacks or PA

Interactive element included

 Attitude

Arguments

[83–85]

The arguments should be new to the individuals

Written messages providing arguments for the goal behavior

An image of a credible role model is used

 Self-efficacy

Barrier identification and advice on how to deal with barriers

[66]

Target group should identify high-risk situations:

List with difficult situations (barriers) in the assessment tool from which the target group can choose

Written advice on how to deal with difficult situations

 

Modeling

[86]

Attention, remembrance, skills, reinforcement; the source, method and channel should be credible

Role model stories and an image of a role model

 Social influence

Resistance to social pressure

[87]

Commitment to intention is required, psychological inoculation against pressure

Written messages to stimulate the recipient to resist social pressure

 

Stimulate communication to mobilize social support

[88]

Support should be available in the environment

Written messages to stimulate the recipient to ask for support in their environment

Volitional phase

    

 Evaluation of progress

Iterative feedback

[67]

-

Written message reflecting whether behavior change was achieved

Graphics indicating whether the recipient adheres to the norm of the health behavior (traffic light system), and whether there was a change

 Goal setting

Goal setting

[45]

Target group should be committed to the goal, and goals should be difficult but feasible

List of goals from which the recipient can choose a personal goal

 Action planning

Planning

[66]

Target group should have decided to make a change and have the intention to change

List of planning strategies the recipient can follow

Planning tool: Recipients can plan for every day of the week when they want to perform the goal behavior

  1. aMost methods and parameters for use were adopted from Bartholomew et al. [44]