Assignment: Stages of Change Model Essay

Assignment: Stages of Change Model Essay

Assignment: Stages of Change Model Essay

Nursing focuses on many objectives, but promoting healthy living remains a universal objective for all nursing practitioners. In mental health and other practice areas, behavior change is instrumental to optimal health and well-being. The implication is that people, including patients, must identify their undesirable behavioral traits and develop a plan for behavior change. Nursing theories guide healthcare practitioners and patients in behavior modeling. These theories provide frameworks that elucidate the nursing practice’s scope and the interventions needed to improve health outcomes (Gasaba et al., 2021). The transtheoretical model can effectively guide patients to change behaviors in distinct stages. The purpose of this paper is to describe how to cope with internet addiction based on the transtheoretical model’s stages.

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The Transtheoretical Model (TTM): Overview and Relevance

Before examining how each stage can be applied, it is crucial to explore the central tenet of the model. Hashemzadeh et al. (2019) posited that the TTM of behavior change presents behavior change as a progressive process, and different people are always in different stages and readiness levels. As a result, changing behavior is not coincidental since patients must go through all the stages as healthcare professionals help them through patient education, treatment plan, and other interventions. Before helping a patient, healthcare professionals should analyze a patient’s stage by asking a few questions (Butts & Rich, 2021). A suitable example is asking whether a patient is ready to change current eating patterns to enable them to adopt a new dietary plan.

Applying TTM to Control Internet Addiction

Internet addiction is prevalent among young people and other active internet users. Chung et al. (2019) described internet addiction as a multifaceted problem since unregulated use of the internet, stress, and lack of emotional well-being can cause the addiction. People with underlying mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are highly vulnerable to internet addiction. Typically, interventions vary with the cause and severity. However, the patient should be willing to change behavior for health interventions to succeed. As a heuristic model of behavior change, TTM is highly effective when healthcare professionals and patients collaborate to change behavior (MacDonald & Jakubec, 2021). A similar approach can effectively help patients to cope with internet addiction.

TTM’s Stage 1: Precontemplation

Behavior change is a gradual process characterized by a willingness to act to adopt a healthy lifestyle. During the precontemplation stage, the patient does not recognize their problem and shows no interest in change (Butts & Rich, 2021). The implication is that the patient does not recognize the underlying problem as a significant threat to their health. MacDonald and Jakubec (2021) explained that the greatest challenge healthcare professionals encounter during precontemplation is raising consciousness. In this case, helping a patient realize the significance of the problem is a key barrier to behavior change. Regarding internet addiction, the patient has no intention of changing their behavior. To initiate the behavior change process, the nurse can assess the patient’s interest in overcoming the addictive behavior and provide appropriate information on the health risks associated with internet addiction. If possible, the nurse and the patient can collaboratively explore the feasibility of the available interventions.

TTM’s Stage 2: Contemplation

The contemplation stage signifies the journey toward recovering and adopting healthy living has started. Butts and Rich (2021) described contemplation as thinking about changing. The defining element of contemplation is awareness of the problem and admitting that change is necessary. However, there is no guarantee that the patient is committed to behavior change despite admitting that a problem exists. Guided by TTM, the nurse assisting a patient with internet addiction should discuss information on the various benefits of overcoming internet addiction. Since the key barrier is helping the patient recognize the benefits of change, the nurse should ensure that the patient understands the problem in-depth and is motivated to change. The nurse should also look forward to a quick process to prevent further deterioration of the patient’s health.

TTM’s Stage 3: Preparation

Healthcare practitioners combine interventions to help patients with internet addiction. However, the success of each method relies heavily on the patient’s knowledge of the condition and determination to change. The preparation stage denotes the patient’s shift from thinking about changing behavior to seriously intending to change behavior. Readiness for change implies intending to change behavior within the next 30 days (MacDonald & Jakubec, 2021). During the preparation phase, healthcare professionals should assess patients with internet addiction to identify potential barriers to change. For instance, a lack of support to quit internet gaming can be a huge barrier. Besides, peer pressure can be a hindrance due to the emotional connection of young people with their peers. MacDonald and Jakubec (2021) advised healthcare practitioners to explore how to overcome barriers with the patient. For instance, a lack of support can be overcome by exploring the support groups available within the community where the patient could join.

TTM’s Stage 4: Action

Patients can only recover from their conditions by taking appropriate actions for healthy living. In the action phase, the patient has initiated behavioral change within the past six months and is determined to achieve the desired outcomes (Butts & Rich, 2021; Hashemzadeh et al., 2019). Regarding internet addiction, behavior change entails seeking therapy and limiting the hours an individual spends online. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an ideal treatment (action) for internet addiction since it helps patients to replace compulsive gaming thoughts with healthy thinking patterns (Zhang et al., 2019). Accordingly, individuals in the action phase are already taking appropriate behavior modification actions to adopt healthier thinking patterns. Butts and Rich (2021) advised nurses to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and monitor the patient’s progress during the action stage. Regular communication with the patient is crucial to promote engagement and adherence to the treatment plan.

TTM’s Stage 5: Maintenance

Positive behavior change entails doing away with undesirable behaviors completely. The patient should also understand the implications of unhealthy living in detail. In the maintenance stage, the patient has done away with the previous behavior for more than six months (Butts & Rich, 2021). Regarding internet addiction, maintenance is characterized by internet control for more than six months and successfully replacing behaviors that trigger compulsive gaming with healthy living patterns. Maintaining positive behaviors is the key to recovery and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Healthcare professionals can help patients to sustain desirable behaviors by following up with continued support. This can be achieved by planning routine follow-up contacts with the patient (MacDonald & Jakubec, 2021). Jointly, the nurse and the patient should prepare a plan to prevent relapse to ensure addiction is effectively controlled.

TTM’s Stage 6: Termination

Healthcare practitioners should always look forward to helping patients practice healthy lifestyles independently. Termination denotes the patient’s ability to maintain healthy behaviors independently and no longer be tempted to re-establish the previous unhealthy behavior (MacDonald & Jakubec, 2021). For patients recovering from internet addiction, termination would be primarily about permanent behavior change and the end of the relationship between the therapist and the patient. The patient no longer needs any support or follow-up since they can maintain the new behavior independently. From a health perspective, termination signifies successful behavior change. Mental health practitioners and other healthcare professionals should identify the strengths of the process through TTM after termination to improve future interactions with patients.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals encounter patients with different health problems in everyday practice. Besides regular diagnosis and treatment, healthcare practitioners should also understand the relevance of theory-guided practice and integrate it into patient care. TTM is a process-based treatment approach where a patient moves from no readiness for change to permanent behavioral change. As exemplified with a patient suffering from internet addiction, TTM demonstrates that behavior change is gradual, and the patient should be actively involved in illness management. Besides, healthcare professionals should ensure patients adequately understand their health conditions and roles to ensure behavior modification and permanency. Follow-up through active communication is encouraged to ensure the patient is monitored and emerging barriers to recovery can be identified.

References

Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2021). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Chung, S., Lee, J., & Lee, H. K. (2019). Personal factors, internet characteristics, and environmental factors contributing to adolescent internet addiction: a public health perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(23), 4635. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234635

Gasaba, E., Ntiranyibagira, B., Joseph, I., Uwamariya, T., Nkurikiye, E., Hategekimana, P., … & Niyongabo, E. (2021). Nursing theory and its practices in two health care facilities of Bujumbura. Open Journal of Nursing, 11(9), 757-771. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojn.2021.119064

Hashemzadeh, M., Rahimi, A., Zare-Farashbandi, F., Alavi-Naeini, A. M., & Daei, A. (2019). Transtheoretical model of health behavioral change: a systematic review. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 24(2), 83-90 doi: 10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_94_17.

MacDonald, S. A., & Jakubec, S. L. (2021). Community health nursing in Canada-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., & Xu, F. (2019). Does cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce internet addiction? Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 98(38). doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017283

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The Stages of Change Modell, or the Transtheoretical Model, explains an individual’s readiness to change their behavior. It describes the process of behavior change as occurring in stages. These stages include:

Pre-contemplation: There is no intention of taking action.
Contemplation: There are intentions to take action and a plan to do so in the near future.
Preparation: There is the intention to take action, and some steps have been taken.
Action: Behavior has been changed for a short period of time.
Maintenance: Behavior has been changed and continues to be maintained for the long term.
Termination: There is no desire to return to prior negative behaviors.
The stages of change model, also known as the Transtheoretical Model, is the model used to describe how behaviors are modified. The stages of change can be defined as the series of stages a person goes through to modify or eliminate problematic behaviors. Ultimately, this model focuses on people’s decision-making and intention to change. According to the stages of change, behavior change does not occur rapidly or easily. Instead, it is an ongoing process. The five stages of change are often used in health promotion and disease prevention and can be applied in any setting and by anyone.

There are five stages of change, each consisting of different strategies and interventions. Although progression to the next stage of change is the goal, it is not uncommon for a person to regress to a previous stage. There is no timeline when it comes to the stages of change model. For example, a person may spend more or less time in one stage compared to another. The five stages of change are pre-contemplation, contemplation, determination, action, and maintenance.

The first stage of the stages of change model is pre-contemplation. During this stage, a person has no intention of taking action or changing a behavior. The pre-contemplation stage is often characterized by denial and a lack of awareness regarding the problematic behavior. The person may not be aware of the consequences related to the behavior or not see the behavior as a problem. A person may stay in the pre-contemplation stage due to the four R’s: rebellion, reluctance, resignation, and rationalization.

Contemplation is the second stage of the five-stage model. It is characterized by a person admitting there might be a problematic behavior that needs to change. Although the person may consider changing behavior, they have not yet committed to it. The contemplation stage can last several months or years due to conflicted emotions. A person may be aware of the benefits of changing behavior but also mindful of the barriers. Barriers may include time, money, or accessibility.

Determination is the third stage of the five stages of change model. During this stage, a person admits to themselves that there is a problematic behavior they want to change. The person becomes determined to make the necessary changes and prepares to act within the next month. Preparation may include researching, seeking professional help, or developing an action plan. In addition, a person may seek support from family, friends, or a support group.

Action is the fourth stage of the stages of change model. For the first time, a person admits openly that a problematic behavior needs to change. During this stage, the person has taken direct action to modify the problematic behavior, and changes become visible. The action stage generally lasts approximately 3 to 6 months.

The fifth stage of change is maintenance. During this stage, the person maintains the changes they have made to their behavior. The person avoids engaging in the old behavior by reducing temptation or creating a plan to prevent relapse. It can be beneficial to reward oneself after avoiding temptation or relapse. While in the maintenance stage, the person continuously develops strategies to reduce or prevent relapse. The maintenance stage generally lasts six months to 5 years.

Termination occurs after the maintenance stage and refers to the person’s lack of desire to return to the old behavior. Termination may also refer to the ending of a therapist-patient relationship. This occurs because of the person’s ability to handle the maintenance stage independently.

The five stages of the change model can be used to change any behavior. Behavior change examples include the following:

Losing Weight

Pre-contemplation — A person is overweight and has high cholesterol; however, they are not concerned about their health and do not plan to change their behavior.
Contemplation — The person is aware that losing weight could improve their health; however, they have not fully decided to lose weight.
Determination — The person meets with a nutritionist who helps them develop a healthy meal plan.
Action — The person has consistently followed their diet for four months and lost 20 pounds.
Maintenance — The person realizes they have more energy and are happier after losing some weight. The person is motivated to continue the healthy behavior.
Termination — The person no longer needs help from the nutritionist and can adjust and follow their diet plan on their own.
Essay:

Apply the stages-of-change model to a person’s motivation to discontinue a bad habit. All papers will be subject to plagiarism checks.

4-5 pages, double-spaced (4 pg minimum/6 page maximum)
APA 7th ed. Format with reference page.
textbook and at least one other source
A cover page and running head are not required.
Must submit in Bb; emailed essays are not accepted.