Prochaska’s Stages of Changes and S.M.A.R.T. goals Improving Your Health Prochaska’s Stages of Changes and S.M.A.R.T. goals
What Influences Change? Person associates behavior with a particular health problem Person accepts/believes behavior will make them susceptible to this problem. Person recognizes that risk-reduction intervention strategies exist and are willing to adopt those strategies Person believes the benefits of newly adopted behaviors will be more reinforcing than those given up Person feels the significant others in their life want them to change and will support their efforts. What Influences Change?
Prochaska’s Stages of Change The process of behavioral change unfolds over time and progresses through defined stages. James Prochaska is a Professor of Psychology and director of the Cancer Prevention Research at the University of Rhode Island and developer of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (1977). Prochaska’s Stages of Change
Pre-contemplation Stage The 1st stage of change A person might think about making a change but ultimately finds it too difficult and avoids doing it. Example: Smoker says “Eventually I will quit” but has no real intention of stopping within the next 6 months Pre-contemplation Stage
Contemplation Stage 2nd stage of change Progress toward change begins One might develop the desire to change but have little understanding of how to go about it. They see themselves taking action within the next six months “I’d like to quit but I don’t know how.” Contemplation Stage
Preparation Stage 3rd stage of change Chang beings to appear to be not only desirable but possible as well. A smoker might begin making plans to quit during this stage, setting a quit date for the very near future and perhaps enrolling in a smoking-cessation program “I will quit by…” Preparation Stage
Action Stage 4th stage of change Plans for change are implemented Changes are made and sustained for a period of about six months “I’m trying to quit/I’m cutting back on…” Action Stage
Maintenance Stage 5th stage of change New habits are consolidated and practiced for an additional six months “I’m not (behavioral change) anymore.” Maintenance Stage
Termination Stage 6th stage of change The point at which new habits are well established Efforts to change are complete “I’m (identifies positive behavioral change)” Termination Stage
Relapse: you may not always move in a straight line and may return to an earlier stage at any time throughout the process…this is NOT unusual!
SMART Goals Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely How to create a SMART Goal SMART Goals
Your Turn… Look at your comprehensive health assessment results What areas are your weakest? From there, choose a behavior that is negatively affecting your health that you wish to change Your Turn…
Example: I want to stop gambling vs. I want to cure my gambling addiction by reducing my visits to the casino to only 3 nights a week and seeing a therapist at least twice a week to stop my gambling altogether by the end of this year. Example:
Create your own SMART Goal Is it Specific? Measurable? Attainable? Realistic? Timely?
How NOT to set goals (for the right-brained learner) D.U.M.B goals
Many people get stuck in the Contemplation Stage of Change because they don’t know how to go about achieving their desired goal. Your task is to find programs that can help Your Task
Find a Local, State, OR National (federal) program that can be utilized in order to help you on your way to achieving your goal. For each program you must find: Name What does the program do (in detail!) How would it help towards achieving your goal (be specific!) How is it funded Assignment
Example Local: Central Iowa Psychological Services A group of psychologists, mental health counselors, therapists and social workers, that assist clients in working with behavioral, spiritual, and psychological issues Psychologists and counselors and provide assistance in ending the addiction cycle for my gambling and provide alternative ways to handle underlying problems in order to help end my gambling addiction altogether They accept many insurance plans or a flat fee of $120-$150 (Visa/MasterCard) each visit Example
Example State: Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention Works to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling by funding a range of services for Iowans like outpatient counseling, housing services, financial counseling, and a state-wide help line This program offers many resources for problem gamblers like myself to seek help and any way necessary. Not only do they focus on the gambling, but other sources that may lead to my addiction, like financial troubles. IGTP is funded through The Iowa Department of Public Health with taxpayer money Example
Example National: 1-800-BETS OFF A hotline number to use to be put in contact with people and services that can help gambling addiction If I call, I will immediately talk to someone who can assess my addiction and put me in direct contact with a counselor or therapist that can help me stop gambling The program is funded through gaming tax dollars Example
Rubric A Local, State, or Federal program is found /5 A Local, State, or Federal program is found /5 The program is described in detail /10 The program is related specifically to your SMART Goal /5 Funding for the program is addressed /5 TOTAL /25 Rubric
SMART goals are lame D.U.M.B. goals