Exposing omitted moderators: Explaining why effect sizes differ in the social sciences.

Policymakers increasingly rely on behavioral science in response to global challenges, such as climate change or global health crises. But applications of behavioral science face an important problem: Interventions often exert substantially different effects across contexts and individuals. We examine this heterogeneity for different paradigms that underlie many behavioral interventions. We study the paradigms in a series of five preregistered studies across one in-person and 10 online panels, with over 11,000 respondents in total. We find substantial heterogeneity across settings and paradigms, apply techniques for modeling the heterogeneity, and introduce a framework that measures typically omitted moderators. The framework's factors (Fluid Intelligence, Attentiveness, Crystallized Intelligence, and Experience) affect the effectiveness of many text-based interventions, producing different observed effect sizes and explaining variations across samples. Moderators are associated with effect sizes through two paths, with the intensity of the manipulation and with the effect of the manipulation directly. Our results motivate observing these moderators and provide a theoretical and empirical framework for understanding and predicting varying effect sizes in the social sciences.

Addressing climate change with behavioral science: A global intervention tournament in 63 countries.

Effectively reducing climate change requires marked, global behavior change. However, it is unclear which strategies are most likely to motivate people to change their climate beliefs and behaviors. Here, we tested 11 expert-crowdsourced interventions on four climate mitigation outcomes: beliefs, policy support, information sharing intention, and an effortful tree-planting behavioral task. Across 59,440 participants from 63 countries, the interventions' effectiveness was small, largely limited to nonclimate skeptics, and differed across outcomes: Beliefs were strengthened mostly by decreasing psychological distance (by 2.3%), policy support by writing a letter to a future-generation member (2.6%), information sharing by negative emotion induction (12.1%), and no intervention increased the more effortful behavior-several interventions even reduced tree planting. Last, the effects of each intervention differed depending on people's initial climate beliefs. These findings suggest that the impact of behavioral climate interventions varies across audiences and target behaviors.

Dimensional versus conceptual incommensurability in the social and behavioral sciences.

This commentary analyzes the extent to which the incommensurability problem can be resolved through the proposed alternative method of integrative experiment design. We suggest that, although one aspect of incommensurability is successfully addressed (dimensional incommensurability), the proposed design space method does not yet alleviate another major source of discontinuity, which we call conceptual incommensurability.

Explore your experimental designs and theories before you exploit them!

In many areas of the social and behavioral sciences, the nature of the experiments and theories that best capture the underlying constructs are themselves areas of active inquiry. Integrative experiment design risks being prematurely exploitative, hindering exploration of experimental paradigms and of diverse theoretical accounts for target phenomena.

Neuroadaptive Bayesian optimisation can allow integrative design spaces at the individual level in the social and behavioural sciences and beyond.

Almaatouq et al. propose an integrative experiment design space combined with large samples for scientific advancement. We argue recent innovative designs combining closed-loop experiment designs and Bayesian optimisation allow for integrative experiments at an individual level during a single session, circumventing the necessity for large samples. This method can be applied across disciplines, including developmental and clinical research.

Using behavioral science to increase core outcome set use in trials.

OBJECTIVES: Core outcome sets (COS) are agreed sets of outcomes for use in clinical trials, which can increase standardization and reduce heterogeneity of outcomes in research. Using a COS, or not, is a behavior that can potentially be increased using behavioral strategies. The aim of this study was to identify behavioral intervention components to potentially increase use of COS in trials. METHODS: This project was informed by the Behavior Change Wheel framework. Two reviewers extracted barriers and facilitators to COS use from four recently published studies examining COS use in trials. Barriers and facilitators were coded to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model, which forms part of the Behavior Change Wheel. COM-B findings were mapped to intervention functions by two reviewers, and then mapped to behavior change techniques (BCTs). Full-team Affordability, Practicability, Effectiveness/Cost-effectiveness, Acceptability, Side effects/Safety, Equity ratings were used to reach consensus on intervention functions and BCTs. BCTs were operationalized using examples of tangible potential applications and were categorized based on similarity. RESULTS: Barriers and facilitators were identified for all capability, opportunity and motivation aspects of the COM-B model. Five intervention functions (education, training, enablement, persuasion, and modeling) and 15 BCTs were identified. Thirty-six BCT examples were developed, including providing information on benefits of COS for health research, and information choosing COS. BCT examples are categorized by approaches related to "workshops," "guidance," "audio/visual resources," and "other resources." CONCLUSION: Study findings represent diverse ways to potentially increase COS use in trials. Future work is needed to examine effects of these behavioral intervention components on COS use. If effective, increased use of COS can improve outcome reporting and minimize outcome heterogeneity and research waste.

Changing the guard: Organizational science and social psychology in the US army.

The US Army employed organizational and behavioral sciences in the context of the emerging Postindustrial political economy to shape its new strategic thought in the 1980s. This article examines how a group of military intellectuals in the Army applied ideas from these sciences to promote officer decision-making and decentralization while maintaining the Army's culture and ethics. They had significant reservations about bringing new ideas from the social sciences into the Army because Robert McNamara's modern cybernetic strategy had scarred the Army's morale and sense of self during the Vietnam War. Instead, the intellectuals carefully adapted ideas into the Army with an unsentimental attitude as it emerged from its post-Vietnam decline so it could fight complex maneuver warfare. Their strategic thought in the late Cold War made the Army a flexible global-spanning force for the unipolar moment in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Behavioral sciences applied to acute care teams: a research agenda for the years ahead by a European research network.

BACKGROUND: Multi-disciplinary behavioral research on acute care teams has focused on understanding how teams work and on identifying behaviors characteristic of efficient and effective team performance. We aimed to define important knowledge gaps and establish a research agenda for the years ahead of prioritized research questions in this field of applied health research. METHODS: In the first step, high-priority research questions were generated by a small highly specialized group of 29 experts in the field, recruited from the multinational and multidisciplinary "Behavioral Sciences applied to Acute care teams and Surgery (BSAS)" research network - a cross-European, interdisciplinary network of researchers from social sciences as well as from the medical field committed to understanding the role of behavioral sciences in the context of acute care teams. A consolidated list of 59 research questions was established. In the second step, 19 experts attending the 2020 BSAS annual conference quantitatively rated the importance of each research question based on four criteria - usefulness, answerability, effectiveness, and translation into practice. In the third step, during half a day of the BSAS conference, the same group of 19 experts discussed the prioritization of the research questions in three online focus group meetings and established recommendations. RESULTS: Research priorities identified were categorized into six topics: (1) interventions to improve team process; (2) dealing with and implementing new technologies; (3) understanding and measuring team processes; (4) organizational aspects impacting teamwork; (5) training and health professions education; and (6) organizational and patient safety culture in the healthcare domain. Experts rated the first three topics as particularly relevant in terms of research priorities; the focus groups identified specific research needs within each topic. CONCLUSIONS: Based on research priorities within the BSAS community and the broader field of applied health sciences identified through this work, we advocate for the prioritization for funding in these areas.

Putting the power of behavior analysis in the hands of nonbehavioral professionals: Toward a blueprint for dissemination†.

Behavior analysts have much to offer nonbehavioral professionals who work with the communities that we serve. Successful dissemination of behavior-analytic technologies to these professionals could potentially improve their practice. Although the literature contains some exemplary examples of successful dissemination, our discipline would benefit from a blueprint for conducting this important work. In this article, I share our experiences disseminating behavioral technologies to educators, law enforcement officers, and health care providers who engage with neurodiverse individuals. These experiences form the basis of a recommended blueprint for dissemination, which awaits empirical support. After describing this tentative blueprint, I provide suggestions for future research on how best to disseminate our technologies to nonbehavioral professionals, the ideal content of those dissemination activities, and the conditions under which professionals may be more likely to embed our technologies into their best practices.

A synthesis of evidence for policy from behavioural science during COVID-19.

Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations ('claims') detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms 'physical distancing' and 'social distancing'. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization.

Руководство по адаптации программ здравоохранения: использование анализа поведенческих и культурных факторов с целью адаптации мер политики, услуг и коммуникации, связанных со здоровьем, к потребностям и условиям жизни людей и сообществ

Некоторые из наиболее актуальных проблем в области здравоохранения напрямую связаны с поведением людей.К таким проблемам относятся в том числе чрезмерное использование антибиотиков, употребление алкогольной и табачной продукции, недостаточно высокий охват вакцинацией и скринингами на онкологические заболевания, отказ от безопасного поведению в условиях пандемии или в области репродуктивного здоровья, а также низкая приверженность режимам лечения диабета и сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний. Все перечисленное создает существенную нагрузку на системы здравоохранения,а также негативно влияет на здоровье и благополучие людей. Для решения этих проблем требуется принятие мер, основанных на фактических данныхи учитывающих понимание как поведениялюдей в указанных ситуациях, связанных со здоровьем, так и культурных особенностей, и взаимодействие со всеми вовлеченными в процесс людьми. Связанные со здоровьем услуги, меры политики и коммуникациямогут быть адаптированы за счет применения фактических данных, моделей и методов из таких областей знания, как поведенческие науки и культурология,что позволяет улучшить результаты осуществления таких мер. В качестве способа достижения этой цели в настоящем руководстве представлен метод адаптации программ здравоохранения (АПЗ), который предназначен для органов здравоохраненияи для экспертов, планирующих применение анализа поведенческих и культурных факторов (АПКФ) в области здравоохранения. Метод АПЗ состоит из четырех этапов, предусматривающих осуществление ряда шагов, и опирается на специальную теоретическую модель и концептуальную основу. Прилагаемое к настоящему документу практическое руководство содержит полезные идеи и упражнения, дополняющие собой предлагаемый материал. Метод АПЗ может применяться к любым моделям поведения в отношении здоровья и любым группам населения.

Los cuidados enfermeros de San Juan de Dios según el Modelo de las necesidades humanas de Henderson / Cuidados de enfermagem de São João de Deus segundo o modelo de necessidades humanas de Henderson / Nursing care of Saint John of God according to Henderson's model of human needs

Consulting manuals of the History of Nursing, it can be appreciated how it is from Nightingale when considering the birth of modern or professional Nursing. However, this belief could be a black legend, because before the 19th century there was already awareness of Nursing as a profession, being this initiated by Juan de Dios, the one from Granada, in the Spanish 16th century. For this reason, in this article we have set the objective of describing the care of Juan de Dios following the model of human needs described by Henderson, together with care in agony and post-mortem. To do this, we use the historiographical methodology following the current of the history of mentalities, so that we can go from the past to the present, and vice versa. In the documentary analysis we have been able to observe how what we find today systematized in a theoretical way was already carried out at the beginning of the nursing reform of the Spanish 16th century, being a valid model for current Nursing, since it is found in its being, knowing , and doing, the concepts of the current nursing metaparadigm, although not explicitly, since its intention, more than theoretical, was care, although behind it there was a corpus of doctrine independent of other socio-health disciplines.(AU)

Consultando manuales de Historia de la Enfermería, se puede apreciar cómo es a partir de Nightingale cuando se considera el nacimiento de la Enfermería moderna o profesional. Sin embargo, esta creencia podría ser leyenda negra, pues antes del S. XIX ya existía conciencia de Enfermería como profesión, siendo esta iniciada por Juan de Dios, el de Granada, en el S. XVI español. Por ello, en el presente artículo hemos marcado como objetivo el describir los cuidados de Juan de Dios siguiendo el modelo de necesidades humanas descritas por Henderson, junto con los cuidados en la agonía y post-mortem. Para ello, utilizamos la metodología historiográfica siguiendo la corriente de la historia de las mentalidades, de manera que podamos ir del pasado al presente, y viceversa. En el análisis documental hemos podido observar cómo lo que hoy encontramos sistematizado de manera teórica, ya se realizaba en el inicio de la reforma enfermera del S. XVI español, siendo un modelo válido para la Enfermería actual, pues se encuentra en su ser, saber, y hacer, los conceptos del metaparadigma enfermero actuales aunque no de manera explícita, puesto que su intención, más que teórica, era asistencial, aunque detrás de ella hubo un corpus doctrinal independiente a otras disciplinassocio-sanitarias.(AU)

Ao consultar os manuais da História da Enfermagem, podese apreciar como é a partir de Nightingale quando se considera o nascimento da Enfermagem moderna ou profissional. No entanto, esta crença pode ser uma lenda negra, pois antes do século XIX já existia a consciência da Enfermagem como profissão, sendo esta iniciada por Juan de Dios, o de Granada, no século XVI espanhol. Por isso, neste artigo estabelecemos o objetivo de descrever o cuidado de Juan de Dios seguindo o modelo de necessidades humanas descrito por Henderson, juntamente com o cuidado em agonia e post-mortem. Para isso, utilizamos a metodologia historiográfica seguindo a corrente da história das mentalidades, para que possamos ir do passado ao presente e vice-versa. Na análise documental pudemos observar como o que encontramos hoje sistematizado de forma teórica já foi realizado no início da reforma da enfermagem espanhola do século XVI, sendo um modelo válido para a Enfermagem atual, uma vez que se encontra em seu ser, saber e fazer, os conceitos do atual metaparadigma da enfermagem, ainda que não explicitamente, pois sua intenção, mais do que teórica, era o cuidado, embora por trás dele houvesse um corpus de doutrina independente de outras disciplinas sócio-sanitárias.(AU)

Harnessing the Power of Behavioral Science: An Implementation Pilot to Improve the Quality of Maternity Care in Rural Madagascar.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading direct cause of maternal deaths worldwide, and women in low-income countries are at particularly high risk of dying from PPH-related consequences. Most deaths can be avoided through consistent provider adherence to prevention protocols and timely, appropriate management, yet providers do not consistently adhere to these best practices. USING BEHAVIORAL DESIGN TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE PROVIDER CARE: We applied the behavioral design methodology to identify behavioral drivers, develop solutions, and build a program theory of change. Implementation research was conducted to understand the adoption, desirability, feasibility, and appropriateness of the solutions and explore suggestive findings related to impact. Data were collected through observation and in-depth interviews. Solutions developed included: (1) a timer to remind providers of the 1-minute window to administer oxytocin; (2) a glow-in-the-dark poster illustrating a simplified algorithm for PPH management; (3) badges to assign family members tasks to support providers during labor and delivery; and (4) a risk visualization exercise. Clinical mentors introduced the solutions during facility visits, and providers received orientation using videos. Solutions were piloted in 10 rural facilities in southeastern Madagascar during November-December 2020. RESULTS: Providers reported high adoption of the timers and task badges during routine deliveries. They remarked on the desirability and appropriateness of the timer, task badges, and algorithm poster, as well as the value of the cocreation process. Adoption of the timer solution shows promise in having a potential positive impact on increasing the awareness of and adherence to timely oxytocin administration. CONCLUSION: This work highlights the promise of applying behavioral science to identify underlying drivers of gaps in clinical practice and to develop innovative and desirable solutions to address them.

Systematic review on factors associated with depression among mothers of children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence of depression among mothers of children with cancer, there appears to be a lack of studies or concern regarding factors associated with depression among these mothers. OBJECTIVE: To review the factors associated with depression among mothers of children with cancer. METHOD: Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Psychology, and Behavioural Sciences Collection, and Academic Search Complete were searched according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify studies published between 2010 to 2022 on the associated risk factors of depression among mothers of children with cancer. The keywords used included mothers OR maternal' AND 'Child*' AND 'cancer OR tumo*r OR neoplasm' AND 'factors OR facilitators AND barriers OR predictors OR determinants AND 'depression'. Selected studies were evaluated by quality assessment. RESULT: Five articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The factors associated with depression among mothers of children were socio-demographic risk factors (marital status, education level, annual income, child cancer diagnosis), and stress factors (caregiving stress, cancer-related stress, general stress). There were other factors associated with depression that act as mediators along the process which were emotion-focused coping and perceived social support. CONCLUSION: Besides the commonly reported socio-demographic risk factors (marital status, education level, and annual income), other factors include stress factors (caregiving stress, cancer-related stress, and general stress). Furthermore, emotion-focused coping and perceived social support act as mediators along the process. More studies are warranted to explore depression among these mothers to ensure the most appropriate and effective preventive measures.

Behavioral mechanism design.

The authors make a convincing case that behavioral scientists have mistakenly focused on improving individual decision making and in so doing have deflected attention from necessary changes in the rules of the game - societal institutions and policies - that shape individual decisions. To address this problem a behavioral science of public policy requires rethinking fundamental economic concepts including preferences and incentives.