Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

Q: Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

__Prochaska and DiClemente's (1983)__ model has six stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse. Each stage has a set of characteristics and support suggestions. Here, we will cover the first three:

Q: Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

__Prochaska and DiClemente's (1983)__ model has six stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse. Here, we will cover the last three:

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Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

Prochaska and DiClemente's (1983) model has six stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse. Each stage has a set of characteristics and support suggestions. Here, we will cover the first three:

Six stages and progression

In each of the six stages, a person can be given encouragement to proceed through the stage, to the next stage.
But the individual must decide when it is time to move to the next stage.
Progression through the stages is up to the individual.

Precontemplation

Characteristics:
- At this stage, the person is not ready to change their behaviour.
- The individual does not see their addiction as an issue.
- They often have irrational thoughts about their addiction (denial and repression).
Support given to the person:
- At this point, people can only show worry for the person and try to discuss their concerns with the person.

Contemplation

Characteristics:
- At this stage, the person begins to realise that they may have an issue with addiction.
- But they are not set to making any changes.
Support given to the person:
- People can reassure the addict by having them evaluate their addiction.
- The addict should create a list of pros and cons of their addiction and a list of pros and cons for change (overcoming their addiction).

Preparation

Characteristics:
- Finally, the person has accepted the fact that they have a problem and are ready to make a change.
- They start to put together a set of aims and commit to making a change.
Support give to the person:
- People can encourage the addict to make the change by setting and completing the first steps towards recovery.

Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

Prochaska and DiClemente's (1983) model has six stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse. Here, we will cover the last three:

Action

Characteristics:
- The addict consistently and actively takes steps towards overcoming their addiction.
- They work to change their behaviour and lifestyle in order to do so.
- They continue to follow their plan.
Support given to the person:
- People aid by giving social support as well as any assistance in their plan.

Maintenance

Characteristics:
- Once the lifestyle and behavioural changes have been made, the person must maintain them.
- In other words, the person must continually work on avoiding falling back into addiction.
Support given to the person:
- People around the addict must constantly give support to prevent the person from returning to their addiction (relapse).

Relapse

Characteristics:
- This does not always happen.
- This stage is when the addict returns to their addiction after a period of abstaining from the addictive behaviour.
Support given to the person:
- People must still support the person even though they relapse.
- They should encourage the addict to look at the relapse like it is a learning opportunity.
- The addict can see where they went wrong and aim to avoid the same situation in the future to prevent another relapse.

Evaluation

Overall, this model of behavioural change has been successful in ending a variety of addictive behaviours, including:
- Drug-taking, drinking, and smoking.