A Review of Explanatory Theories Used to Inform Behavioral, Psychological, and Social Interventions Evaluated for Their Effectiveness in Sweden

Purpose Human service practice, including social work, is characterized by a multitude of theories, with limited consensus regarding which theories are most relevant and applicable to practice. One way to identify theories relevant to practice is to examine the growing body of intervention research, particularly studies evaluating intervention effectiveness. This study aims to increase understanding of the extent to which explanatory theories are or are not explicitly used to inform behavioral, psychological, and social interventions. Method A retrospective analysis was conducted of published intervention effectiveness research carried out in Sweden over a 30 year period (1990–2019; n = 527). Results Sixty-eight theories were explicitly identified in intervention descriptions. Although reporting of the theoretical grounding of interventions has increased over time, most studies lacked such descriptions, particularly for interventions implemented in social service contexts. Discussion The limited reporting of theoretical grounding constrains the ability to assess which theories are most relevant for education and practice across human service fields, including social work.