The Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) is not a theory, but it can employ multiple behavioral theories within its framework, combining various processes that are needed to understand how behavioral change happens. The TTM is based on the belief that people go through multiple stages when thinking about and implementing change. The model proposes six steps to which one can adhere: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. Each person completes these stages differently, and most activities do not have a set time frame, although the stages of action and maintenance are timed. Moreover, the TTM considers self-initiated change and intentional action as the focus of its structure. For example, people following a TTM process are encouraged to modify their habits, start performing desired activities, or stop participating in behaviors that they find problematic. To achieve the established goals, individuals can engage in a variety of evaluative and cognitive processes. |
The critical part of TTM is the six steps that people go through during their efforts to change. These are:
To move through these steps, a person can participate in various cognitive and affective processes. These include revaluation of the self and the environment when a person assesses the harm that behaviors can bring to themselves and their family. People may use stimulus control to understand and limit the exposure to factors encouraging relapse, as well as reinforcement management to reward themselves for enacting change. They can also develop helpful relationships and utilize counter-conditioning as a support network for lowering the risk of moving backward (Gökbayrak et al. 2015). |
References
Gökbayrak, NS, Paiva, AL, Blissmer, BJ & Prochaska, JO 2015, ‘Predictors of relapse among smokers: transtheoretical effort variables, demographics, and smoking severity’, Addictive Behaviors, vol. 42, pp. 176-179. Harris, KK, Zopey, M & Friedman, TC 2016, ‘Metabolic effects of smoking cessation’, Nature Reviews Endocrinology, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 299-308. Lindson-Hawley, N, Banting, M, West, R, Michie, S, Shinkins, B & Aveyard, P 2016, ‘Gradual versus abrupt smoking cessation: a randomized, controlled noninferiority trial’, Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 164, no. 9, pp. 585-592. Stead, LF, Carroll, AJ & Lancaster, T 2017, ‘Group behaviour therapy programmes for smoking cessation’, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 3, pp. 1-106. |