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Stages of Change Model

34 comments
Theory Summary
1. Psychologists developed the Stages of Change Theory in 1982 to compare smokers in therapy and self-changers along a behaviour change continuum. The rationale behind "staging" people, as such, was to tailor therapy to a person's needs at his/her particular point in the change process. As a result, the four original components of the Stages of Change Theory (precontemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance) were identified and presented as a linear process of change. Since then, a fifth stage (preparation for action) has been incorporated into the theory, as well as ten processes that help predict and motivate individual movement across stages. In addition, the stages are no longer considered to be linear; rather, they are components of a cyclical process that varies for each individual. The stages and processes, as described by Prochaska, DiClemente and Norcross (1992), are listed below.

Precontemplation: Individual has the problem (whether he/she recognises it or not) and has no intention of changing.
  • Processes:
    Consciousness raising (information and knowledge)
    Dramatic relief (role playing)
    Environmental reevaluation (how problem affects physical environment)
Contemplation: Individual recognises the problem and is seriously thinking about changing.
  • Processes:
    Self-reevaluation (assessing one's feelings regarding behavior)
Preparation for Action: Individual recognises the problem and intends to change the behaviour within the next month. Some behaviour change efforts may be reported, such as inconsistent condom usage. However, the defined behaviour change criterion has not been reached (i.e., consistent condom usage).
  • Processes:
    Self-liberation (commitment or belief in ability to change)
Action: Individual has enacted consistent behaviour change (i.e., consistent condom usage) for less than six months.
  • Processes:
    Reinforcement management (overt and covert rewards)
    Helping relationships (social support, self-help groups)
    Counterconditioning (alternatives for behaviour)
    Stimulus control (avoid high-risk cues)
Maintenance: Individual maintains new behaviour for six months or more.



2.

CONCEPT
DEFINITIONAPPLICATION
PRE-CONTEMPLATION
Unaware of the problem, hasn't thought about change
Increase awareness of need for change, personalise information on risks and benefits
CONTEMPLATION
Thinking about change, in the near future
Motivate, encourage to make specific plans
DECISION/DETERMINATION
Making a plan to change plans, setting gradual goals
Assist in developing concrete action
ACTION
Implementation of specific action plans
Assist with feedback, problem solving, social support, reinforcement
MAINTENANCE
Continuation of desirable actions, or repeating periodic recommended step(s)
Assist in coping, reminders, finding alternatives, avoiding slips/relapses (as applies)

Comments

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 09:17 Permalink

thank you for providing the information. This helps to write a paper on the matter.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 04:29 Permalink

I found it helpfull

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/29/1999 - 23:29 Permalink

si me puede enviar toda la informacion que esta relacionada con el mismo tema, muchas gracias.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

This page has made it easier for me to understand what my instructor and our book is saying. This theory is now put into simple terms. Thank You

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

no examples, does not explain anything about change

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

i am trying to plan a health promotion project, the theory really helps in the planning process

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

Thanks! This is helpful info. I'm presenting it to an AODA treatment group.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

Very informative. Thank you very much.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

we already saw this in class

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

Very helpful would like more visually pleasing model, of stages of change

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

It seems to be a precise definition, the links are also useful for references. Thanks

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

this page gave me all of the relevant info i needed for my research

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

great succinct thanks

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

I would like to know about kurt lewin's change theory. what is it and how can it be applied to healthcare in nursing

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

I am working as a mental health counselor and we are implementing this into our work and this was so helpful.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/10/2004 - 16:11 Permalink

Useful for a Change paper I need to submit next week for a graduate class.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/06/2006 - 13:48 Permalink

thanks, keep up the good work.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/12/2006 - 06:46 Permalink

great quick guide to change theory, I used it with Grade 8 students, was awesome

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/08/2006 - 08:53 Permalink

Good concise review. Already familiar with stages in depth. But nice quick resource to check stage of change.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/05/2006 - 11:00 Permalink

This website is a great tool for educational purposes. Thanks for your work!

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/23/2006 - 11:29 Permalink

I hope you'll update your change theory entry for Stages of Change by adding an explanation of the Transtheoretical Model, which was developed out of Stages of Change and is more comprehensive and useful.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/02/2007 - 14:17 Permalink

great

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/27/2006 - 07:29 Permalink

Printer version did not print as well as original-

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/27/2006 - 07:29 Permalink

Printer version did not print as well as original-

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/12/2007 - 14:42 Permalink

this is useless

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/06/2007 - 09:27 Permalink

working on my Doctoral Thesis Proposal... think i`l be using this website a lot.. Good job guys!

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/23/2007 - 11:26 Permalink

Very Succinct and relevant - would have been much more of value if correctly referenced so that it could be cited

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/23/2007 - 14:52 Permalink

The theory is awful, but this page is a very good summary. It should specify the psychologist who invented the stages of change model.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/28/2008 - 11:43 Permalink

Sorry,

Just do not see the revelence Abbi.

Cathy Eves

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/11/2008 - 05:56 Permalink

I liked the chart it made it really clear.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 01:46 Permalink

very useful information. i have particularly liked the processes required for each stage to be chieved.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 02:22 Permalink

i think exploratory,discussion, action,group discussion and discussion are the stages of social action model