THE TRANSTHEORETICAL MODEL

The Transtheoretical Model

The Transtheoretical Model

Part A-The Transtheoretical Model

The Transtheoretical Model is a concept to describe, explain, and predict the influence of intentional behavior change. The James O. Prochaska from the University of Rhode Iceland and his colleague's model is based on the assumption that several qualitatively different change processes are gradually built and each change goes through stages. Therefore, the Transtheoretical model is also called a stage model of behavioral change ("Stages of Change"). The model was applied to different health behaviors, such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, enhanced nutrition, physical activity / sport (Weinberg & Gould, 2007, pp. 230-232).

The Stages of Change

The stages of the change are one of the main constructs of transtheoritical model. Changes in behavior can be considered as taking place as a progressive thing through a series of stages. The formers studies have evaluated several cognitive and behavioural makers that have been employed for the identification of these change stages (Prochaska & Levesque, 2001, pp. 247-261). The following review each of these stages, which can be applied to many types of behaviors:

Precontemplation

People in this stage have no real intention of changing and often deny having a problem. Most of them only want people around them to change. The pros of behavior change do not exceed the cons. If treatment would be by peer pressure and the disappearance of this, it would risk the behavior (Prochaska & Levesque, 2001, pp. 247-261).

Contemplation

People in this stage recognize that they have a problem and begin to think seriously about solving it. It is characterized by ambivalence (Prochaska & Levesque, 2001, pp. 247-261).

Preparation

Most people in this stage are planning to take any particular action in the short term, and make final adjustments before starting to change their behavior. Usually this stage has started making small changes such as reducing the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Plan their actions and try to strengthen them, e.g., buying fewer cigarettes, setting a date for the change. These small changes result in increased anxiety and this gives the opportunity to specialist for the treatment. When it starts, it is easily manageable (Prochaska & Levesque, 2001, pp. 247-261).

Action

At this stage people perform actions that have been prepared in order to overcome your problem, e.g., stop smoking, and throw the last beer. The danger for specialists working with such people is to think that these actions actually involve open real change. Changes in level of consciousness, emotions, self image, thought, and so on, occur in stages prior to the action (Prochaska & Levesque, 2001, pp. 247-261).

Maintenance

This stage occurs when the change is stabilized and its challenge is to prevent a relapse. Usually this is the stage which is most ignored during the treatment. A task for the specialist is to recognize dangerous situations for relapse and provide alternatives to the patient. An example of good maintenance strategy for an alcoholic is to provide distractions consciously to reduce their tendency to drink alcohol when they feel distressed (Prochaska & Levesque, 2001, ...