Abstract
Painter et al (2008), argue that health behaviour intervention research frequently lacks detail about how theory informs the design, measurement, and analysis making replication and comparison difficult. This paper describes (a) the structure of group-mediated cognitive behavioural interventions (GMCB) in physical activity (PA) as guided by two theoretical perspectives and (b) the theory-based content across weeks of the intervention. Three intervention phases are outlined: (1) Intensive - consisting of group formation, identification of common goals, and developing group identity. Using the group as an agent-of-change, participants learn and practice self-regulatory skills in collaboration with their facilitator. Members learn to integrate skills and develop and execute multi-week PA plans relative to individual and group goals; (2) Transition - which weans individuals from group dependency towards independent, self-managed PA. Contact with the facilitator is gradually minimized via declining support; and (3) Follow-up - no contact with the group or facilitator where PA must be self-managed. Measures that are markers for examining cognitive behavioural change and groupness will be discussed. Examples of tailoring the GMCB for specific populations (e.g., older adults, spinal cord injury) will also be described.Acknowledgments: Supported by Canada Research Chair training funds