Behaviour Change Techniques

A behaviour change technique (BCT) is a method that can help a person change their behaviour to improve their health. For example, providing information about the harms alcohol can cause, helping people understand why they drink (e.g., to destress or celebrate) or find alternative activities they enjoy, are all methods which can help people change their drinking.  

There is a list of BCTs which evidence shows can help people reduce their alcohol use (created by Michie and colleagues in 2013).  In the MARI research project, we are reviewing the evidence, consulting with experts, and using coproduction workshops to identify which BCTs are deemed the most useful for women who are trying to conceive, pregnant and/or mothers of young children.  We will then add these BCTs to our new resources, and make sure the content is relevant to these women.  By providing tailored resources, we hope to empower women to make the choices and changes they want.

Behaviour change models can work in lots of ways.  Models such as COM-B and the Theoretical Domains Framework help us understand how to change habits and behaviours. The figure below shows the COM-B and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) here together. COM-B explains that in order for people to change, they must be Capable (physically and psychologically), have Opportunities (physical and social), and be Motivated (reflective and automative). Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) identifies the fundamental barriers and facilitators of evidence-based transformation.