Another study carried out in 2006 researching the consumption of fruit and vegetables among adolescents also supported the transtheoretical model (Di Noia, Schinke, Prochaska, Contento, 2006) The results showed that the adolescents in later stages in the cycle were more successful in changing their behaviours than those in the pre contemplation or contemplation stage, those in the later stages also used more processes of change. This would then suggest that using the transtheoretical model interventions can be developed to increase fruit and vegetable consumptions.
The use of the TTM based interventions introduces the idea of a stage-matched intervention. Where the intervention is aimed at the individual depending what stage of the cycle they are currently in. It is therefore able to focus more on the individual needs of each person, and help the change their health behaviours.
Evidence supporting the use of TTM intervention is shown in a study into smoking cessation for pregnant women (Aveyard et al, 2006). It compared the use of TTM intervention with stage-mismatched intervention, as to which was better at changing the women’s behaviour. The results showed that the women on using the TTM intervention moved further on in the cycle, than those who didn’t. Although it was also outlined that the TTM intervention was much more intensive than just getting the basic advice from a midwife along with a leaflet, leading to the greater change in behaviours.
However using transtheoretical based interventions has not always proven worthy, especially over a longer period of time. A critical review carried out by Adams and White in 2003, found looking at intervention programmes for exercise, 73% of the programmes were found to be successful using the TTM. Yet over a longer period of time (6 months) this success rate dropped to only 29% reporting some benefit of using the TTM programmes. Thus this would highlight that the TTM influence on interventions may not be that successful over a longer period of time, and focuses more on changing behaviours in the short term. Although the model in based on a cycle, and does include an element of relapse.
Overall the transtheoretical model has contributed widely in the understanding of health behaviours. It takes a new individualistic approach to changing health behaviours, targeting each person individually, looking at which stage they are currently at on the cycle, and helping them to move forward. This model can be used in most areas of changing health behaviours, which means it is very versatile. It can be tailored for the individual needs and behaviours of each person, making it very successful.
Other problems with this model have also been discussed (Weinstein, 1998, West, 2006), for example the model is based on people being able to make conscious decisions, and their ability to make plans. These characteristics cannot be attributed to everyone, therefore the model cannot be applied to everyone. Another negative factor relating to this is that individuals may think they are getting special treatment by using this model, which could then mean they change their behaviours more successfully. This would then mean they are changing because of the attention they are getting and not from the actual model it’s self.
Furthermore the model could be seen to over complicated, it could be possible for some one to go to a doctor, and the doctor just ask simple questions, such as “do you want to give up smoking?”, so a model is never needed.
Using this model in design of interventions also appears to be very successful, getting more people to change their current health behaviours, than those who are not using the TTM interventions. Research carried out by Johnson et al (2006) found that using TTM interventions helped either move people into the action or maintenance stages, or for those who were already in these stages they were more likely to stay there after eighteen months with the help of TTM interventions. This contradicts Adams and Whites review, showing that people can stay in maintenance for a prolonged period of time, with the help of TTM intervention.
However, as outlined before, the model does account for relapses, showing it may not be completely successful over time. This may be due to the intense nature of the programmes compared to other approaches to intervention, such as leaflets. With it being more forceful people may find it harder, as they get a short burst of an intense intervention and then are left to maintain the behaviours. This would allow them to relapse, and possibly choose not to use this method again as its too concentrated.
It appears that there are many mixed views into the transtheoretical model proposed by Prochaska and DiClemente, with lots of contradictory research in the field. Although there is a lot of evidence in support of the model, there is also evidence against it, highlighting many problems, which may effect the reliability of the model.
The model contributes highly to the understanding of health behaviours, allowing us to design interventions to change health behaviours. It looks into whether people actually want to change, and if the do how serious they are. The model is realistic as although it is a cycle it also allows for movement forward and backward during the cycle. Being able to design interventions from this model, allows for the individual to play a big role in changing of the behaviour, with the model being tailored to suit their exact needs.
References:
Adams J, White M. (2003) Are activity promotion interventions based on the transtheoretical model effective? A critical review. Br J Sports Med 37, 106–14
Aveyard, P. Lawrence, T. Cheng, K. Griffin, C. Croghan, E. Johnson, C. (2006) Randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation for pregnant women to test the effect of a transtheoretical model-based intervention on movement in stage and interaction with baseline stage, British Journal of Health Psychology 11 (2)
Buchanan, H. Coulson, N. (2007) Consumption of carbonated drinks in adolescents: A transtheoretical analysis, , 33(4), 441-447
Di Noia, J. Schinke, S. Prochaska, J. Contento, I. (2006) Application of the Transtheoretical Model to Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Economically Disadvantaged African-American Adolescents: Preliminary Findings. American Journal of Health Promotion, 20 (5), 342-348
Johnson, S. Driskell, M, Johnson, J. Dyment, S. Prochaska, J. Prochaska, J. Bourne, L. (2006) Transtheoretical Model Intervention for Adherence to Lipid-Lowering Drugs Disease Management 9 (2), 102-114
Ogden, J. (2007) Health Psychology a textbook. Open University Press
Prochaska, J. DiClemente, C (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking:
Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 390–395.
Weinstein, N. Rothman, A. Sutton, S (1998) Stage theories of health behaviour: conceptual and methodological issues, Health psychology, 17, 290-299
West, R. (2005) Time for change: putting the Transtheoretical (stages of change) model to rest, Addiction 100 (8) 1036-1039