Transtheoretical model

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM, " Transtheoretical Model " ) is a concept to describe, explain, predict, and influence of intentional behavior change. The system developed by James O. Prochaska from the University of Rhode Iceland and his colleagues model is based on the assumption that change processes through several qualitatively different and successive steps build on each other. Therefore, the Transtheoretical Model is also known as multi-stage model of behavior change ( "Stages of Change "). The model was adapted to different health behaviors, such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity / sports.

Stages of behavior change

In essence, the model postulates six stages of behavior change ( "Stages of Change" ):

The sixth stage is not included in the original literature of Prochaska and di Clemente. It was added sporadically later by other authors and is not available for all application fields are the same sense (addiction, exercise).

Change processes

Furthermore includes the TTM processes of change ( "Processes of Change" ), defined as activities and events that affect and change a problematic behavior and related cognitions and emotions. Allow the processes of change and promote the passage of the stages of readiness for change, that is, they describe how people from one stage to proceed to the next.

Ten processes of change have been identified, based along two dimensions than on the experience, cognitive- affective processes ( "Cognitive - Affective Processes" ) and behavioral processes ( "Behavioural Processes" ) can be categorized.

The five cognitive- affective processes are

• " Increase awareness of the problem " ( " Consciousness Raising " ),
• " Emotional Experience " ( " Dramatic Relief" ),
• "Reassessment of personal environment" ( "Environmental Reevaluation ")
• "Even revaluation " ( "Self - reevaluation " ), and
• " Perceiving conducive environmental conditions " ("Social Liberation " ),

The five behavioral processes are

• " Counter- conditioning" ( " counterconditioning ")
• "Control of the environment" ( "Stimulus Control" ),
• "Take advantage of helpful relationships " ( "Helping Relationships ")
• ' (Self-) gain " ( " Reinforcement Management ") and
• " Commitment " ( "Self - Liberation ").

In addition to the stages and processes of the model includes the decision balance ( " Decisional Balance" ) and self -efficacy ( "Self - Efficacy "). The decision Balance addresses the perceived advantages ( " pros " ) and disadvantages ( " cons " ) of a change in behavior. The self-efficacy describe both the confidence ( "Confidence" ), to be able to exert a desired behavior in difficult situations, and on the other the temptation ( "Temptation" ) to show the unwanted behavior in difficult situations.

Three general types of temptation situations can be distinguished, namely situations with positive affect and social situations ( " Positive Affect / Social Situations " ), situations with negative affect or emotional stress ( "Negative Affect Situations" ), and habitual situations or custom ( " Habitual / Craving Situations " ).

In the TTM are used for the processes of change, the pros and cons, and self -efficacy postulated characteristic curves on the stages of change readiness time. Cognitive- affective processes are particularly in early stages of change, behavioral processes, particularly in the late stages of change of meaning. About the stages across the weighting increases perceived positive action outcome expectations, whereas the weighting of negative aspects of a change in behavior decreases. That it results in a positive balance in favor of the perceived benefits of a behavior change. The time at which the negative-positive ratio is reversed to settle in after about the third phase (preparation phase). So to aktional in the transition from präaktional. The temptation is to fall continuously from Absichtslosigkeits - up to the maintenance stage, the confidence is expected to rise accordingly.

The TTM has experienced in numerous scientific studies, a comprehensive empirical testing. Also, by intervention studies (especially for tobacco smoking) was the usefulness and practicability of the model are established.