Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change.

Abstract

An integrative model of change was applied to the study of 872 subjects changing their smoking habits on their own. The subjects represented the following five stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and relapse. Ten processes of change were expected to receive differential emphases during particular stages of change. Results indicate that self-changers: (a) use the fewest processes of change during precontemplation; (b) emphasize consciousness raising during the contemplation stage; (c) emphasize self-reevaluation in both contemplation and action stages; (d) emphasize self-liberation, a helping relationship, and reinforcement management during the action stage; and (e) use counterconditioning and stimulus control the most in both action and maintenance stages. Relapsers were found to respond like a combination of contemplaters and people in action. Results are discussed in terms of developing a model of self-change of smoking and enhancing a more integrative general model of change.Formalized treatment programs for smoking fail with a majority of smokers (Hunt, Barnett, & Branch, 1971). Nevertheless, 30 million Americans quit smoking in the past decade, with 70% to 80% quitting on their own (Adult Use of Tobacco, 1975). Furthermore, 70% of smokers surveyed indicated that if they were to quit, they would not attend a formal treatment program (McAlister, 1975). In spite of the preponderance of and preference for self-change approaches, research on smoking cessation has focused primarily on formalized treatments. The present study reports on the change processes that were emphasized by 872 self-changers representing five different stages of quitting smoking.In one of the few studies on self-change, self-changers did not differ from individuals in formalized treatments on smoking habits, locus of control, and measures of the Jackson Personality Inventory (Pederson & Lefcoe, 1976). DiClemente and Prochaska (1982) also found that self-changers did not differ from subjects in two types of therapy programs in terms of smoking history variables,

Understanding the relationship between knowledge and African Americans’ donation decision-making

“…Recipients could share their stories in a manner such that those watching feel a close personal connection. This finding fits with the Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change in that, in addition to the five stages, this framework proposes processes of change, which are overt and covert activities that help move individuals along the continuum of behavior change [45]. It might be that knowing a transplant recipient is an example of consciousness raising, which is one of the ten theorized processes that have received the most empirical support.…”

“…For each of the three questions, donation intentions were measured on a continuum based on the Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change [45]. This theoretical framework suggests that people move along a continuum of readiness to engage in organ and tissue donation: precontemplation (having no intention to donate), contemplation (having thought about expressing donation intentions in the future), preparation (having plans to express donation intentions in the near future), action (having recently expressed donation intentions), and maintenance (having expressed donation intentions more than six months ago).…”

Exploring the Efficacy and Moderators of Two Computer-Tailored Physical Activity Interventions for Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The determinants on which the programs focused were selected based on the results of a Delphi study [24], and a literature review [14] on the determinants of changing PA behavior among older adults. Based on theoretical models such as the such as the I-Change model [25], the Transtheoretical model [26], the Health Action Process Approach [27], the Precaution Adoption Process Model [28], the Self-regulation theory [29], and the Self-determination theory [30] and on additional focus group interviews [18], theoretical methods and intervention strategies were selected and included into the computer-tailoring program. The content of the tailored interventions has been described in more detail elsewhere [18], and is briefly described below.…”

Who benefits from a dietary online intervention? Evidence from Italy, Spain and Greece

“…The term 'outcome expectancies' is used in SocialCognitive Theory (13) . The equivalent terms 'pros' and 'cons' are used in the Transtheoretical Model (14) , where they represent the decisional balance when people contemplate whether to adopt a novel behaviour or not.In the Reasoned Action Approach (15) the corresponding term is 'behavioural beliefs' that act as precursors of attitudes. In the context of weight management, for example, individuals may anticipate to feel more attractive as a result of dieting (16) .…”