Intervention mapping

Intervention Mapping is an approach for developing theory-based and evidence-based health promotion programs. Intervention Mapping describes the process of health promotion program planning in six steps:

  1. the needs and assets assessment based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model
  2. the definition of intervention outcomes and objectives based upon scientific analyses of health problems and problem causing factors;
  3. the selection of intervention methods and translating them into practical applications to change (determinants of) health-related behavior;
  4. the intervention design and production;
  5. the anticipation of adoption, implementation and sustainability; and
  6. the anticipation of process and effect evaluation.

Intervention Mapping is characterized by three perspectives: an ecological approach, participation of all stakeholders, and the use of theories and evidence. Although Intervention Mapping is presented as a series of steps, the authors see the planning process as iterative rather than linear. Program planners move back and forth between tasks and steps. The process is also cumulative: each step is based on previous steps, and inattention to a particular step may lead to mistakes and inadequate decisions.

Brief history and purpose of the approach

Intervention Mapping was first developed and introduced in 1998 by L. Kay Bartholomew, Guy S. Parcel & Gerjo Kok, with an article in Health Education & Behavior. In 2001 the first edition of the book followed, with Nell H. Gottlieb as 4th author. In 2006, the 2nd edition was published, and in 2011, the 3rd edition, with Maria E. Fernández as 5th author. The 4th edition appeared in 2016, authored by L. Kay Bartholomew Eldridge, Christine M. Markham, Robert A.C. Ruiter, Maria Fernández, Gerjo Kok & Guy S. Parcel. This was the last edition led by L. Kay Bartholomew Eldridge, who died in February 2016.

Intervention Mapping was developed as a reaction to a lack of comprehensive frameworks for health promotion program development. Intervention Mapping aims to help health promoters develop the best possible intervention. The key words in this approach are planning, research, and theory. Intervention Mapping provides a vocabulary for intervention planning, procedures for planning activities, and technical assistance with identifying determinants and methods for change. Intervention Mapping can also help in adapting existing interventions to new populations and settings, and provides a taxonomy of behavior change methods that can be used to develop interventions. In the health promotion field, Intervention Mapping has successfully been applied in various settings, to a wide range of different behaviors and populations. It may help planners develop theory- and evidence-based interventions to promote healthy behavior.

More specifically, Intervention Mapping ensures that theoretical models and empirical evidence guide planners in two areas: (1) the identification of behavioral and environmental determinants related to a target problem, and (2) the selection of the most appropriate theoretical methods and practical applications to address the identified determinants. Intervention Mapping has been described as elaborate. However, this is crucial to bring the development of interventions to a higher level, indicating that advantages outweighed disadvantages. Intervention Mapping is developed in the health promotion field but can easily be applied in other fields, such as promoting energy conservation.

Steps and tasks

Are the following:

See also

References and bibliography

  1. 1 2 3 Maria E. Fernández, Christine M. Markham, Robert A. C. Ruiter, Rik Crutzen, & Andrew E. Springer, 2026. Intervention Mapping: Health Promotion Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation, 5th Ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-1-119-77410-5
  2. 1 2 Bartholomew, L.K., Parcel, G.S. & Kok, G., 1998. Intervention Mapping: a process for designing theory- and evidence-based health education programs. Health Education & Behavior, 25, 545-563.
  3. ↑ Bartholomew, L.K., Parcel, G.S., Kok, G. & Gottlieb, N.H., 2001. Intervention mapping; designing theory- and evidence-based health promotion programs. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.
  4. ↑ Bartholomew, L. K., Parcel, G. S., Kok, G., & Gottlieb, N. H. (2006). Planning health promotion programs: an Intervention Mapping approach (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  5. 1 2 3 Bartholomew, L. K., Parcel, G. S., Kok, G., Gottlieb, N. H., & Fernández, M.E., 2011. Planning health promotion programs; an Intervention Mapping approach, 3rd Ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  6. ↑ Schaalma, H. & Kok, G. (2009). Decoding health education interventions: The times are a-changin'. Psychology & Health, 24, 5-9. doi:10.1080/08870440801995802
  7. ↑ Kok, G., Gottlieb, N. H., Peters, G.-J. Y., Mullen, P. D., Parcel, G. S., Ruiter, R. A. C., Fernández, M. E., Markham, C., & Bartholomew, L. K. (2015). A Taxonomy of behavior change methods; an Intervention Mapping approach. Health Psychology Review, accepted author version posted online. DOI:10.1080/17437199.2015.1077155
  8. ↑ Côté J. C., Godin G., Garcia P. L., Gagnon M., Rouleau G. (2008). Program development for enhancing adherence to antiretroviral therapy among persons living with HIV. AIDS Patient Care STDs, 22, 965–75. doi:10.1089/apc.2008.0124
  9. ↑ Heinen M. M., Bartholomew L. K., Wensing, M., van de Kerkhof, P., van Achterberg, T. (2006). Supporting adherence and healthy lifestyles in leg ulcer patients: systematic development of the lively legs program for dermatology outpatient clinics. Patient Education & Counseling, 61, 279–91. DOI 10.1016/j.pec.2005.04.007
  10. ↑ van Kesteren, N. M., Kok, G., Hospers, H. J., Schippers, J., de Wildt, W. (2006). Systematic development of a self-help and motivational enhancement intervention to promote sexual health in HIV-positive men who have sex with men. AIDS Patient Care STDs, 20, 858–75.
  11. ↑ Godin G., Gagnon H., Alary M., Levy J. J., Otis J. (2007). The degree of planning: an indicator of the potential success of health education programs. Promotion & Educaction, 14, 138–42.
  12. ↑ Kok, G., Lo, S.H., Peters, G-J.Y. & Ruiter, R.A.C., 2011. Changing energy-related behavior: An Intervention Mapping approach. Energy Policy, 39, 5280-5286. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2011.05.036

Further reading