What characterizes the Maintenance Stage of the Transtheoretical Model?

The Maintenance Stage of the Transtheoretical Model is characterized by the individual having maintained a behavior change for at least six months. This stage follows the Action Stage, during which an individual actively works on modifying their behavior. The focus during Maintenance is to sustain the new behavior and prevent relapse into old habits.

At this point, individuals have incorporated the new behavior into their daily lives and are typically more confident in their ability to continue this change. They work to reinforce the behaviors and develop strategies to avoid situations that could trigger a return to previous behaviors. Successful navigation of this stage is crucial for long-term success in behavior change and often involves ongoing self-monitoring and support from various sources.

The other options refer to different stages in the Transtheoretical Model: one involves initial stages of behavior change, another relates to contemplation, and the last indicates a regression to prior behaviors, all of which do not accurately describe the Maintenance Stage.