Multiple risk expert systems interventions: Impact of simultaneous stage-matched expert system interventions for smoking, high-fat diet, and sun exposure in a population of parents

Authors

James O. Prochaska, University of Rhode Island
Wayne F. Velicer, University of Rhode Island
Joseph S. Rossi, University of Rhode Island
Colleen A. Redding, University of Rhode Island
Geoffrey W. Greene, University of Rhode Island
Susan R. Rossi, University of Rhode Island
Xiaowu Sun, University of Rhode Island
Joseph L. Fava, University of Rhode Island
Robert Laforge, University of Rhode Island
Brett A. Plummer, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

9-1-2004

Abstract

Three stage-based expert system interventions for smoking, high-fat diet, and unsafe sun exposure were evaluated in a sample of 2,460 parents of teenagers. Eighty-four percent of the eligible parents were enrolled in a 2-arm randomized control trial, with the treatment group receiving individualized feedback reports for each of their relevant behaviors at 0, 6, and 12 months as well as a multiple behavior manual. At 24 months, the expert system outperformed the comparison condition across all 3 risk behaviors, resulting in 22% of the participants in action or maintenance for smoking (vs. 16% for the comparison condition), 34% for diet (vs. 26%), and 30% for sun exposure (vs. 22%). Proactive, home-based, and stage-matched expert systems can produce significant multiple behavior changes in at-risk populations where the majority of participants are not prepared to change.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Health Psychology

Volume

23

Issue

5

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Prochaska, James O., Wayne F. Velicer, Joseph S. Rossi, Colleen A. Redding, Geoffrey W. Greene, Susan R. Rossi, Xiaowu Sun, Joseph L. Fava, Robert Laforge, and Brett A. Plummer. "Multiple risk expert systems interventions: Impact of simultaneous stage-matched expert system interventions for smoking, high-fat diet, and sun exposure in a population of parents." Health Psychology 23, 5 (2004): 503-516. doi: 10.1037/0278-6133.23.5.503.