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Table 2 The refined framework based on results of the open and closed sort tasks

From: Validation of the theoretical domains framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research

Domain (definition1)

Constructs

1. Knowledge

Knowledge (including knowledge of condition /scientific rationale)

(An awareness of the existence of something)

Procedural knowledge

 

Knowledge of task environment

2. Skills

Skills

(An ability or proficiency acquired through practice)

Skills development

 

Competence

 

Ability

 

Interpersonal skills

 

Practice

 

Skill assessment

3. Social/Professional Role and Identity

Professional identity

(A coherent set of behaviours and displayed personal qualities of an individual in a social or work setting)

Professional role

 

Social identity

 

Identity

 

Professional boundaries

 

Professional confidence

 

Group identity

 

Leadership

 

Organisational commitment

4. Beliefs about Capabilities

Self-confidence

(Acceptance of the truth, reality, or validity about an ability, talent, or facility that a person can put to constructive use)

Perceived competence

 

Self-efficacy

 

Perceived behavioural control

 

Beliefs

 

Self-esteem

 

Empowerment

 

Professional confidence

5. Optimism

Optimism

(The confidence that things will happen for the best or that desired goals will be attained)

Pessimism

 

Unrealistic optimism

 

Identity

6. Beliefs about Consequences

Beliefs

(Acceptance of the truth, reality, or validity about outcomes of a behaviour in a given situation)

Outcome expectancies

 

Characteristics of outcome expectancies

 

Anticipated regret

 

Consequents

7. Reinforcement

Rewards (proximal / distal, valued / not valued, probable / improbable)

(Increasing the probability of a response by arranging a dependent relationship, or contingency, between the response and a given stimulus)

Incentives

 

Punishment

 

Consequents

 

Reinforcement

 

Contingencies

 

Sanctions

8. Intentions

Stability of intentions

(A conscious decision to perform a behaviour or a resolve to act in a certain way)

Stages of change model

 

Transtheoretical model and stages of change

9. Goals

Goals (distal / proximal)

(Mental representations of outcomes or end states that an individual wants to achieve)

Goal priority

 

Goal / target setting

 

Goals (autonomous / controlled)

 

Action planning

 

Implementation intention

10. Memory, Attention and Decision Processes

Memory

(The ability to retain information, focus selectively on aspects of the environment and choose between two or more alternatives)

Attention

 

Attention control

 

Decision making

 

Cognitive overload / tiredness

11. Environmental Context and Resources

Environmental stressors

(Any circumstance of a person's situation or environment that discourages or encourages the development of skills and abilities, independence, social competence, and adaptive behaviour)

Resources / material resources

 

Organisational culture /climate

 

Salient events / critical incidents

 

Person x environment interaction

 

Barriers and facilitators

12. Social influences

Social pressure

(Those interpersonal processes that can cause individuals to change their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours)

Social norms

 

Group conformity

 

Social comparisons

 

Group norms

 

Social support

 

Power

 

Intergroup conflict

 

Alienation

 

Group identity

 

Modelling

13. Emotion

Fear

(A complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioural, and physiological elements, by which the individual attempts to deal with a personally significant matter or event)

Anxiety

 

Affect

 

Stress

 

Depression

 

Positive / negative affect

 

Burn-out

14. Behavioural Regulation

Self-monitoring

(Anything aimed at managing or changing objectively observed or measured actions)

Breaking habit

 

Action planning

  1. 1All definitions are based on definitions from the American Psychological Associations’ Dictionary of Psychology [36].