Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model
by Damilola Iyiola (Fall 2016) & Breanna Lanier (Spring 2015)
History
The Information-motivation-behavioral Skills (IMB) Model was developed in 1992 by Jeffrey D. Fisher and William A. Fisher as they sought to understand the mechanism behind HIV-risk behavior change (1). They found that behavioral change was a function of an individual's possession of three factors: information, motivation and behavioral skills (1). They consolidated these findings into a generalizable model that has served as a framework for interventions and as a reference for understanding various behavior changes both within and outside the health field (2).
Figure 1: Strict Reproduction of Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model (3).
The three elements of the model interplay to influence a behavioral change.
Information: Individual has relevant information concerning the behavior and its implications (1).
Motivation: Individual's attitude toward the behavior and the consequences of that behavior. This attitude is influenced by both personal and social motivation (1).
- Personal motivation: Attitude toward the behavior and self perception about own performance of behavior (2)
- Social motivation: Society’s acceptance of the behavior and the individual's desire to adhere to social norms (2)
Behavioral Skills: The resources necessary for individual to carry out behavior. The individual must have both ability and self efficacy (1).
- Objective ability: Individual's capability to practice behavior
- Self Efficacy: Individual's self belief in their capability to practice behavior (1).
Both information and motivation activate the behavioral skills necessary for behavior change (2).
Application
As demonstrated in Table 1, the IMB Model can be and has been applied to influence various types of behavior change (2). Additionally it has been used to inform a variety of interventions, especially in public health. This is evident in the first season of the MTV show, "Shuga" which incorporates the IMB model in its function as an intervention for HIV-risk behavior change.
Table 1: Application of IMB Model to voting in the US.
IMB Model | Application: Voting in the US |
Information |
|
Motivation (Personal and Social) |
|
Behavioral Skills (Ability and Self Efficacy) |
|
Behavior Change |
|
MTV's Shuga
Plot: The show follows a group of twenty-somethings as they navigate sex, relationships and HIV in Nairobi, Kenya.
As an intervention: The show aims to influence behavior change in heterosexual youth with high HIV-risk health behavior. It provides the audience with relevant information on HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices with emphasis on reducing HIV transmission via HIV testing, condom use and male circumcision. The show uses the experiences of the characters to provide the elements of the IMB Model for its audience in order to influence behavior change. The analysis below will focus specifically on HIV testing as the desired behavioral change.
Table 2: The IMB Model applied to MTV’s Shuga, with the HIV testing as the desired behavior change.
IMB Model | MTV's Shuga |
Information |
|
Motivation (Personal and social) |
|
Behavioral Skills (Objective ability and self efficacy |
|
Behavioral Change |
|
The IMB model can similarly be applied in a global health setting. Practitioners implement culturally appropriate interventions to provide the three elements of the IMB Model in order to influence health behavior change in a population.
Limitations
- Tends to be too broad. The IMB model must be tailored to specific subgroups in order for it to strive to meet that subgroup's specific needs in information, motivation and behavioral skills (1).
- Makes assumptions that individuals have similar baseline levels of information, motivation and behavioral skill. The corresponding intervention may then be insufficient or excessive (1).
Therefore when the model is applied, care must be taken to ensure that the IMB Model is well suited to the targeted population.
Useful Resources for Further Research
On IMB Model:
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4883e/9.1.4.html#Js4883e.9.1.4
On MTV’s Shuga
http://www.mtvshuga.com/how-mtv-shuga-is-tackling-hiv/
Other applications of IMB model
Works Cited
(1)Fisher, J.D., and Fisher,W.A (1992). Changing AIDS risk behavior. Centre for Health, Information and Prevention Documents. Paper 2.
(2) Intervention Strategies Based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model for Health Behavior Change: A Systematic Review
(3) Asian Nursing Research, Volume 8, Issue 3, Pages 172-181
(4) Sun Ju Chang, Suyoung Choi, Se-An Kim, Misoon Song
(5) Adherence to Long-Term Therapies - Evidence for Action: Annexes: Annex I - Behavioural mechanisms explaining adherence: 4. Models [Internet]. Apps.who.int. 2016 [cited 19 December 2016]. Available from: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4883e/9.1.4.html#Js4883e.9.1.4
(6) Rogo P. In Africa, MTV Series 'Shuga' Promotes HIV Prevention Among Youth [Internet]. PBS NewsHour. 2016 [cited 19 December 2016]. Available from: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/in-africa-mtv-series-shuga-promotes-hiv-prevention-among-youth/
(7) MTV Shuga - Getting tested [Internet]. MTV Shuga. 2016 [cited 19 December 2016]. Available from: http://www.mtvshuga.com/knowledge/getting-tested/
(8) How MTV Shuga is tackling HIV - MTV Shuga [Internet]. MTV Shuga. 2016 [cited 19 December 2016]. Available from: http://www.mtvshuga.com/how-mtv-shuga-is-tackling-hiv/
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