Self-Change Project

Self-Change Project

Introduction

This project is focus on the factors that influencing change in human behavior and also help and trained me as a future nurse to work with patients to change their unhealthy behavior. In order to provide avenues for applications and intervention strategies, TransTheoretical Model will be presented in the last part of the text, drawing on the educational implications emerged in previous work.

The Transtheoretical Model

For over two decades, Prochaska and DiClemente (1982) have studied the process of behavior change, examining the variables associated with them and comparing their results with those of much research in this area. In this model, Prochaska and DiClemente (1982) have suggested that behavior change occurs in a process consisting of different stages ordered in chronological order, are: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination. Moreover, they also identified within these stages, nine processes of change, which refer to different mechanisms that people use to change their behavior (Patterson, 2010). Fig. 1, shows the stages of change and the processes involved in this theory. A detailed description of the stages of change and the various processes associated with each of these stages is then proposed (Patterson, 2010).

Fig. 1 The Transtheoretical Model

Description of the stages of change and processes of change

The stages of change theory suggest that people change their behavior gradually, and that different interventions are appropriate at each stage. Stages were identified as follows: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination.

During the precontemplation stage, the subjects did not intend to change their high-risk behaviors in the near future, but within next 6 months, since people generally not intend to change their behavior more than 6 months in advance (Patterson, 2010) . I was in this stage in January of this year. I was newly engaged, planning a wedding and had no time to worry about exercise and nutrition and fagot to even drink water. The stress level was at an ultimate high but working full time and being a student took up all my time.

Contemplation is the stage in which people have serious intentions to change behavior over the next 6 months. Despite their intentions, it is estimated that on average, the subjects in this phase remain relatively stable for at least 2 years. I found myself in this stage in March of this year. I was sitting at my class and decided I needed to make some changes in my life. During my class I discussed with my teacher; about my routine habits. It was suggested to first change the routine, also to eat three healthy meals a day and drink 8 glasses of water every day along with two nutritious snacks and plan at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. So I picked a start date. I decided right then, while at my teachers suggestion to start my plan on April 1, 2013. No excuses would be accepted, this was the date for my healthy lifestyle to begin.

Preparation is the stage during which the subjects they intend to take action ...