Designing Effective Interventions: Research Triangulation and Substantiation for Concept Development

Chosen methodology and reasoning

The methodology used in this project included the following methods:

• Worksheets and COM-B model from the "Behaviour Change Wheel": This resource helped me identify the key problematic behaviours and what needs to be targeted to induce change and analyse them effectively. Additionally, I gained new insights into the social, physical and psychological capability, opportunity and motivation that influence behaviour. It was a useful tool for guiding my insight recognition process and framing the development of positive interventions for the target group.

• The habit cycle: The habit cycle is a model that describes how habits are formed and maintained, and how they can be changed. It was a method I was familiar with, but integrated with the Behaviour Change Wheel to better understand the underlying mechanisms of smoking and to identify the key opportunities for change.

• Reflecting and journaling on my own triggers and reasons to stop smoking: This self-reflection process was instrumental for me to apply the tools and strategies proposed in the previous two frameworks and gain personal insights into my own behaviour and attitudes towards smoking. I have used this to understand the target group more effectively, and applying the COM-B analysis to myself has allowed me to understanding the complexity of the problem, the different spheres of the behaviour and triggers, plan the interviews and test potential interventions on myself.

• Researching basic information about quitting smoking online: This research provided me a general understanding of why smoking is harmful, how people are triggered and what are the mainstream interventions suggested online. It was a useful start to my research, and it influenced me to personalise my approach and create something new.

• Analysing smokers' responses to in-depth interviews: I structured the interview by using questions related to psychological capability, opportunity, social capability and opportunity, physical capability and opportunity, and reflective motivation. This approach allowed me to structure the questions in a way that would enable me to understand the responses and translate them into validation for my assumptions and material for the creation of positive interventions. This approach also helped me to evaluate the various factors that may be contributing to the problematic behaviour and identify potential intervention points. Overall, this methodology provided a comprehensive and holistic approach to understanding the behaviour of smokers and developing effective interventions to help them quit.

By using a combination of these methods, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the target group's difficulties and attitudes around smoking and identified key behaviours and motivators for change. I used the insights to develop effective interventions based on people's personal triggers, as their interviews led me to understand which aspect of the COM-B model would be most effective in addressing their specific needs. Additionally, the behaviour change wheel and habit cycle helped me to identify the key moments for change and strategies to implement them effectively.

Added value of my approach

The added value of this approach is that it provides a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the target group's difficulties and attitudes around smoking. By using a combination of methods such as the behaviour change wheel, the habit cycle, self-reflection, research, and in-depth interviews, I was able to gain a detailed understanding of the target group's attitudes towards smoking, and identify key behaviours and motivators for change.

Additionally, by structuring the in-depth interviews around the psychological, social, physical and reflective elements, I was able to evaluate the various factors that enable the problematic behaviour and identify intervention points.

This allowed for the development of targeted and relevant interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of the individual, which increases the chances of success for quitting smoking.

Process towards the design of the interventions

I proceeded to design the interventions by categorising the aspects of the COM-B model and using the knowledge gained from the interviews and each aspect to create solutions that are coherent with the relevant triggers and motivators. For example, solutions for social smokers will vary greatly from those who struggle more with physical capability. Additionally, through reflecting on the habit cycle, I realized that the key to resisting the craving to smoke is dopamine, so I brainstormed and tested 15-minute dopamine-producing activities that align with each aspect of the COM-B model. This approach allowed me to create interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of the individual and address their unique triggers and motivators, which increases the chances of success for quitting smoking.