A new meta-analysis of research reports (Psychological Bulletin, 2024) showed a positive, linear effect of the number of behavioral recommendations associated with behavioral and clinical change across all domains.
This linear relation was mediated by improvements in the psychological well-being of intervention recipients and, in several domains (i.e., HIV, alcohol use, and drug use), suggested behavioral cuing.
These research findings support Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW) programs which are designed to cue and motivate multiple behavior change among youth and young adults.
PPW interventions link messaging to avoid substance use/misuse (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, e-cigarettes, and opioids) with those promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity, healthy breakfast and food consumption, sleep, and relaxation practices.
These messages are provided to youth individually, in a group or virtually using a scripted protocol and PowerPoint slides and include a multiple behavior goal setting strategy to initiate changes to avoid substance use and increase healthy habits.
A recent pilot study showed that the evidence-based SPORT Prevention Plus Wellness program increased a key measure of adolescent psychological well-being (i.e., mental health) by 27%: https://preventionpluswellness.com/pages/new-research-evaluating-ppw-programs
In conclusion, interventions like Prevention Plus Wellness programs that target multiple health behaviors can increase behavioral and clinical change among participants.
Read the entire published study: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2024-97069-001.html