Using implementation intentions to increase attendance for cervical cancer screening.

Abstract

This article evaluates an intervention based on P. M. Gollwitzer's (1993) concept of implementation intentions. Women registered at a medical practice in rural England (N = 114) completed measures of the theory of planned behavior variables before a manipulation that induced one half of the sample to form implementation intentions specifying when, where, and how they would make the appointment. Subsequent attendance was determined from medical records. Findings show that the theory of planned behavior variables and previous delay behavior provided good prediction of attendance. However, despite equivalent motivation to attend, participants who formed implementation intentions were much more likely to attend for screening compared with controls (92% vs. 69%). Evidence also suggests that implementation intentions attenuated the relationship between previous delay behavior and subsequent attendance.

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   Webb, Thomas L., Sheeran, Paschal · 2006 · Psychological Bulletin
2. Intention—Behavior Relations: A Conceptual and Empirical Review
   Sheeran, Paschal · 2002 · European Review of Social Psychology
3. Implementation intentions and goal achievement: a meta-analysis of effects and processes
   Gollwitzer, Peter M., Sheeran, Paschal · 2006 · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology
4. Prospective prediction of health-related behaviours with the Theory of Planned Behaviour: a meta-analysis
   McEachan, Rosemary Robin Charlotte, Conner, Mark, Taylor, Natalie Jayne, Lawton, Rebecca Jane · 2011 · Health Psychology Review
5. Implementation intentions and efficient action initiation.
   Brandstätter, Veronika, Lengfelder, Angelika, Gollwitzer, Peter M. · 2001 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

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