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Digital Media for Behavior Change: Review of an Emerging Field of Study

Author

Listed:
  • William Douglas Evans

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
    The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

  • Lorien C. Abroms

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
    The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

  • David Broniatowski

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
    The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

  • Melissa A. Napolitano

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
    The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

  • Jeanie Arnold

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

  • Megumi Ichimiya

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

  • Sohail Agha

    (Stanford Behavior Design Lab, Seattle, WA 98109, USA)

Abstract

Digital media are omnipresent in modern life, but the science on the impact of digital media on behavior is still in its infancy. There is an emerging evidence base of how to use digital media for behavior change. Strategies to change behavior implemented using digital technology have included a variety of platforms and program strategies, all of which are potentially more effective with increased frequency, intensity, interactivity, and feedback. It is critical to accelerate the pace of research on digital platforms, including social media, to understand and address its effects on human behavior. The purpose of the current paper is to provide an overview and describe methods in this emerging field, present use cases, describe a future agenda, and raise central questions to be addressed in future digital health research for behavior change. Digital media for behavior change employs three main methods: (1) digital media interventions, (2) formative research using digital media, and (3) digital media used to conduct evaluations. We examine use cases across several content areas including healthy weight management, tobacco control, and vaccination uptake, to describe and illustrate the methods and potential impact of this emerging field of study. In the discussion, we note that digital media interventions need to explore the full range of functionality of digital devices and their near-constant role in personal self-management and day-to-day living to maximize opportunities for behavior change. Future experimental research should rigorously examine the effects of variable levels of engagement with, and frequency and intensity of exposure to, multiple forms of digital media for behavior change.

Suggested Citation

  • William Douglas Evans & Lorien C. Abroms & David Broniatowski & Melissa A. Napolitano & Jeanie Arnold & Megumi Ichimiya & Sohail Agha, 2022. "Digital Media for Behavior Change: Review of an Emerging Field of Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9129-:d:872294
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Congying Liu & Lupin Chen & Muhammad Hassan Arshad, 2024. "Navigating the Digital Divide for Sustainability: Emotional and Cognitive Pathways to Food Waste Reduction Through Social Media Advertising," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-23, November.
    2. M. Bilal Akbar & Elizabeth Barnes, 2024. "Verification of GPDS planning framework for social marketing: a Delphi method," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 21(1), pages 51-81, March.
    3. Dana E. Wagner & Gabrielle Seneres & Elisabeth Jones & Kelli A. Brodersen & Sjonna Whitsitt-Paulson, 2022. "Swap Up Your Meal: A Mass Media Nutrition Education Campaign for Oklahoma Teens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Alejandro López & Maria Fernanda Escobar & Alejandra Urbano & Juliana Alarcón & Laura Libreros-Peña & Diana Marcela Martinez-Ruiz & Luz Ángela Casas, 2022. "Experience with Obese Patients Followed via Telemedicine in a Latin American Tertiary Care Medical Center," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    5. Alexander P. D’Esterre & Shreya Tulsiani & Elizabeth C. Hair & Madeleine Aseltine & Linda Q. Yu & Megumi Ichimiya & Jeffrey B. Bingenheimer & Jennifer Cantrell & W. Douglas Evans, 2025. "Pathway from Exposure to an E-Cigarette Prevention Social Media Campaign to Increased Quitting Intentions: A Randomized Trial Among Young Adult E-Cigarette Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-10, February.

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