Supporting alcohol change in mid-life women: focus group insights informing refinement of the SPACES intervention logic model.

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Davies, EL orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-3577-3276, Seddon, J, Matley, F, Watson, E and Rose, AK orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-3267-7318 (2026) Supporting alcohol change in mid-life women: focus group insights informing refinement of the SPACES intervention logic model. Psychology & Health. pp. 1-25. ISSN 0887-0446

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Logic model refinement is an underreported stage of complex intervention development. SPACES (Storytelling Promoting Alcohol Choice, Empowerment and Sharing) combines narratives with Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) to support alcohol reduction among mid-life women. This study aimed to refine the logic model.

METHODS: Eight online focus groups were conducted with 20 mid-life women and 12 other stakeholders. Theory-informed reflexive thematic analysis used the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) framework to examine drinking influences and inequalities. A public advisory group informed study materials and interpretation of findings.

RESULTS: Five themes described inequality-related influences on drinking and engagement with support: (1) structural inequalities shaped physical opportunity; (2) gendered norms shaped social opportunity; (3) emotional load shaped automatic motivation; (4) cognitive bandwidth shaped psychological capability; and (5) identity and stigma shaped reflective motivation. Environmental restructuring, emotional/social support and alcohol-free activities were supported. Information, alcohol-free and low-alcohol product substitution and goal-setting were acceptable for some but required adaptation to avoid exacerbating inequalities. Findings informed refinements to COM-B determinants, BCTs, delivery through stories and toolkits, and hypothesised mechanisms of action.

CONCLUSION: This study provides a worked example of inequality-sensitive logic model refinement and a strong foundation for SPACES prototyping and feasibility testing.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: COM-B; Mid-life women; alcohol reduction; inequalities; logic model; storytelling; 4206 Public Health; 42 Health Sciences; Behavioral and Social Science; Women's Health; Alcoholism, Alcohol Use and Health; Health Disparities and Racial or Ethnic Minority Health Research; Substance Misuse; Minority Health; 3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing; 7.1 Individual care needs; Cardiovascular; Stroke; Cancer; Oral and gastrointestinal; 10 Reduced Inequalities; 3 Good Health and Well Being; 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy; 1701 Psychology; Clinical Psychology; 4206 Public health; 5203 Clinical and health psychology; 5205 Social and personality psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions: Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date of acceptance: 9 September 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access: 1 October 2026
Date Deposited: 01 Oct 2026 15:19
Last Modified: 01 Oct 2026 15:19
DOI or ID number: 10.1080/08870446.2026.2734873
URI: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29592
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