The Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change: Prochaska and DiClemente’s Model

This chapter aims to present the Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change (TTM) and its main constructs. The intention is to expose the applicability in the treatment of substance dependence and it explains how the model is structured. TTM has two central constructs: the Stages of Change and the Mechanisms of Change. The Stages of Change are called the temporal part of the model, with a definition of stages in relation to the motivation of a person. The Stages of Change are Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance. In addition to the stages, an explanation about the Mechanisms of Change will be carried out in the text. The mechanisms are the “gears” that make people change motivational stages. Mechanisms of change are the self-efficacy, the temptation to return to drug use, the decision-making balance (pros and cons), the processes of change, and the external factors. Many research works were cited in order to illustrate the applicability of the model in different contexts. And finally, the main instruments of evaluation of TTM in Brazil have been described. In light of the above, it is clear promising results the model has to offer in the treatment of substance abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil Karen P. Del Rio Szupszynski & Andressa Celente de Ávila

1. Karen P. Del Rio Szupszynski

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Editors and Affiliations

1. Centro de Ciências da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil André Luiz Monezi Andrade
2. Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Denise De Micheli
3. Departmento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Eroy Aparecida da Silva
4. Deapartamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil Fernanda Machado Lopes
5. Departamento de Educação, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil Bruno de Oliveira Pinheiro
6. Departmento de Psicologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC, Brazil Richard Alecsander Reichert

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Del Rio Szupszynski, K.P., de Ávila, A.C. (2021). The Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change: Prochaska and DiClemente’s Model. In: Andrade, A.L.M., De Micheli, D., Silva, E.A.d., Lopes, F.M., Pinheiro, B.d.O., Reichert, R.A. (eds) Psychology of Substance Abuse. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62106-3_14

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