Transtheoretical Model Aka Stages of Change

Background o TTM was born from a study comparing the experience of smokers who quit on their own, against smokers receiving professional treatment. o Prochaska and DiClemente found that change was a process, one that occurs in stages, rather than a one-time event.

Stages

Key Features o Intentional change o Process not an event o Cycles through stages

Precontemplation  No intention to change behavior or denial of the need to change behavior.

Contemplation  Intention to change within the next 6 months.

Preparation  Serious intention to change behavior in the next 30 days.

Action  Initiation of overt behavioral change.

Maintenance  Sustaining behavioral change for 6 months or more.

Termination  Process of behavior change has been completed.

Constructs of TTM  Decisional Balance  Self-efficacy  Self-reevaluation  Self-liberation

Important to Note o Important for addictive behavioral problems o Begin at your own specific stage o Many applicable uses for this model.

Dr. Prochaska Video Discussion

References  Edberg, M. (2007) Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Helath. Sadbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett  Fertman, C. L., & Allensworth, D. D., (2010). Health Promotion Programs: From Theory to Practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass  Velicer, W. F, Prochaska, J. O., Fava, J. L., Norman, G. J., & Redding, C. A. (1998) Smoking cessation and stress management: Applications of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change. Homeostasis, 38,