Goodness of fit assessment of an alcohol intervention program and the underlying theories of change

The authors conducted an investigation of The Pennsylvania State University's Alcohol Intervention Program Level 2 (AIP2) to determine goodness of fit of the program components and its underpinning theories. They determined that the Health Belief Model, Social Norms Theory, Social Learning Theory, and the Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change and Process of Change are associated with AIP2's program elements. Although elements of AIP2 fit with these theories, gaps did exist within the program. The authors put forth recommendations for additional program elements that would strengthen the fit with these theories and enhance the program. In addition, upon examining the Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change and Process of Change in terms of sequence, the authors found that information from the readiness to change assessment was not being used to tailor the program elements to individual participant needs. Moreover, the postreadiness-to-change measure adapted by a prereadiness-to-change assessment was not useful in determining behavior change.