What is an intervention? Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is a psychological intervention?
An action intended to change or manage a process, often related to psychological or pathological conditions.
What are 3 key definitions of “intervention” used in psychology?
(1) Stopping/modifying a process
(2) Therapist action to help a client (3) Experimental manipulation in research.
What is the primary goal of a psychological intervention?
To produce change and attempt to solve a specific problem
How can theories guide the development of an intervention?
By identifying which factors are most important to focus on for solving a problem
Why is evaluating interventions important?
To determine if they actually produce the desired outcomes
What is an RCT and why is it used?
A randomised controlled trial compares an intervention group with a control to assess effectiveness objectively.
What is an limitation of using RCTs for public health campaigns?
Difficult to find a control group not exposed to the intervention once widely implemented.
What was the aim of the Chnage4Life campaign?
To reduce childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating and activity
Who was the Change 4Life campaign primarily targeting?
Parents and primary school children
Name 2 strategies used in the Change4Life campaign
Media (TV, Apps) Nutritional education (food labelling, sugar tax)
What are some health risks associated with obesity targeted by Change4Life?
Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers
What was a key finding from Croker et al, 2012’s RCT on Change4Life?
It increased awareness, but had little impact on actual behaviour
What was the main behaviour measured in the Smart Swaps study?
Whether families swapped unhealthy foods for healthier alternatives.
What were some barriers to sustaining healthy behaviour change in the Smart Swaps study?
- Habit strength
- Time pressure
- Cost
What is behavioural activation (BA)?
A CBT-based intervention that increases positive behaviours to help reduce depression.
What is the basic idea behind BA’s approach to treating depression?
Increase meaningful activities to break the cycle of avoidance and distress.
What did the COBRA trial compare?
Behavioural Activation (BA) vs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression.
What was the main finding of the COBRA trial?
BA was just as effective as CBT in treating depression.
Why might BA be preferred over CBT in some cases?
- It is simpler
- Easier to deliver
- Cost-effective—especially suitable for use by general healthcare providers.
