Despite the well-known Lewin’s Maxim—“there is nothing as practical as a good theory” (McCain, 2016)—many health researchers still struggle to understand or appreciate the utility of theory. I recall mentoring early-stage investigators who quipped that the only use for theory was to impress grant application reviewers, failing to grasp how theory could actually improve their research.
Put simply, theories are systematic ways of understanding complex phenomena. Health behavior theories (HBTs) describe interrelationships among concepts that explain or predict human behavior and behavior change (Simoni et al., 2018; Riley et al., 2011).
Why Health Behavior Theories Matter
HBTs provide a roadmap for designing interventions that are grounded in the science of behavior change and maintenance. They point to constructs that may moderate or mediate an intervention’s effect on health outcomes. Understanding who benefits from intervention strategies—and who does not—and the precise mechanisms through which they are operating can help us design implementation strategies that ensure effectiveness for everyone. Additionally, employing common theories contributes to a shared language that helps us synthesize research findings and refine theories.
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