2025 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 22-30
Aim: This study aimed to identify the supportive methods used by public health nurses（PHNs）to promote behavior change, particularly among middle-aged men who participate in specific health guidance at least twice (repeaters).
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to analyze the content of semi-structured interviews with six PHNs about the content and intent of the support provided during the initial interview, and describe their supportive methods.
Results: The supportive methods that promoted behavior change for repeaters were engaging with repeaters by prioritizing what was important in their current lives; engaging with repeaters to increase health guidance acceptance; reviewing past progress with repeaters and encouraging awareness of the increased risk of lifestyle-related diseases; encouraging the repeaters to visualize the future image and state they should aim for; reviewing past failures with the repeaters and considering information provision and action plans from a new perspective; supporting the repeaters to make an action plan based on past records that allowed them to feel the effects promptly and to continue without difficulty; encouraging the repeaters to make renewed efforts to reach their goals; and recognizing the efforts that had been made so far so that the repeaters could move towards their goals again.
Discussion: To promote behavior, change for repeaters, particular importance was attached to considering information provision from a new perspective, engaging with repeaters to increase health guidance acceptance and supporting them at making an action plan that allows them to feel the effects promptly and to persist without difficulty.
