Applying the Science of Habit Formation to Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Mental Illness

Bibliographic Data

ID21786121
AuthorsAllison G Harvey (0000-0002-8609-0005, University of California, Berkeley, corresponding author), Catherine A Callaway (0000-0002-3065-6321, University of California, Berkeley), Garret G Zieve (0000-0003-0062-3323, University of California, Berkeley), Nicole B Gumport (0000-0002-1502-1985, University of California, Berkeley), Courtney C Armstrong (0000-0003-1980-1847, University of California, Berkeley)
Year2022
Volume17
Issue2
Pages572-589
Publication date2022-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePerspectives on Psychological Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1745-6916 • E-ISSN: 1745-6924
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1745691621995752
PMID34495781
OpenAlexW3196742029
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited115

Habits affect nearly every aspect of our physical and mental health. Although the science of habit formation has long been of interest to psychological scientists across disciplines, we propose that applications to clinical psychological science have been insufficiently explored. In particular, evidence-based psychological treatments (EBPTs) are interventions targeting psychological processes that cause and/or maintain mental illness and that have been developed and evaluated scientifically. An implicit goal of EBPTs is to disrupt unwanted habits and develop desired habits. However, there has been insufficient attention given to habit-formation principles, theories, and measures in the development and delivery of EBTPs. Herein we consider whether outcomes following an EBPT would greatly improve if the basic science of habit formation were more fully leveraged. We distill six ingredients that are central to habit formation and demonstrate how these ingredients are relevant to EBPTs. We highlight practice points and an agenda for future research. We propose that there is an urgent need for research to guide the application of the science of habit formation and disruption to the complex “real-life” habits that are the essence of EBPTs

Automaticity · Basic science · Behavioural sciences · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Habit · Mental health · Mental illness · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychological research · Psychological science · Psychotherapist · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychology · Social Psychology