The Role of Feedback in the Process of Health Behavior Change

Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD; Angela S. Marinilli, BA; Manu Singh, BA; Lori E. Bellino, MA  

Objective: To offer a taxonomy of types of feedback and describe potential mechanisms of action particularly in the area of addictive behaviors. Method: Reviewed the literature to examine support for types—Generic, Targeted, and Personalized—and for mechanisms of feedback. Results: Although it is not clear how it works, feedback is thought to offer important information, to create a sense of caring and helping relationship, to reach more directly decisional considerations, to increase engagement in the materials, to increase motivation, or to provide social comparison and norms. Conclusions: Avenues for future research in search of the most effective manner of using feedback to promote health behavior change are discussed.

Am J Health Behav 2001;25(3):217-227.