The Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change Analysis - Essay Example

Running Head: TTM Transtheoretical Model of Exercise Behaviour Change and its Adherence: A Critical Analysis of Course Date Transtheoretical Model of Exercise Behaviour Change and its Adherence: A Critical Analysis Introduction: Behaviour change exercises for better health is a vast field of study which has been a subject matter for researchers and investigators over the years. It is for this reason that a number of interventions and exercises in health management were originated for and based on the theoretical models. Among different models of physical activities, transtheoretical model for behaviour change has been considered as an effective and systematic model with a pragmatic approach. This paper aims to present an in-depth analysis of the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM). The analysis will be done by giving important consideration to the critical address to the model as an application for modification of healthy behaviour among people. The paper shall also discuss the problems associated with the adherence of the TTM based interventions or exercise for the need of better behavioural change. Generalities of Transtheoretical Model of Behavioural Change: A number model has been drawn specifically in order to illustrate the ways in which behavioural change within an individual is more likely to be noted. The origination of the model was done by the conceptualization by Prochaska and DiClemente in 1983. The conceptualization made use of certain theoretical constructs to make the description of the behavioural changes associated with the modification of healthy behaviour. The difference between transtheoretical model of behaviour change and other approaches is that other approaches have utilized social and biological impact to focus on the behaviour and decision-making. This makes transtheoretical model of behaviour change to be more relevant and specific to human behaviour change (Moran, 2004). The contribution of Prochaska and DiClemente is basically a sum mixture of different theoretical basis of psychotherapies and models. The generalization on which the transtheoretical model of behaviour change is based is the occurrence of change over the time. The application of the TTM is considered to be effective in case of modification and promotion of healthy activities in the daily routine of humans. It is an obvious fact that humans can gain a great deal of mental stability and behavioural activity by implementation physical exercise. TTM based physical exercise can bring positive change among individuals because of the analytical grounds on which the behaviour change is measured (Carlin, 2009). Critical Address to TTM: As per the grounds of the model, it has been noted that the behavioural change can occur in five categorized stages. These stages are noted to be Pre-contemplation stage, contemplation stage, preparation stage, action stage and maintenance stage. The interventions based upon the TTM are required to be tailored as per the analysis of the person’s behavioural stage capacity. This notes that the process of behavioural change can occur from any stage but with a pace of process which is systematic. This makes the application of TTM more understandable and effective. In comparison with other models which were created for exercise of behavioural change, it was noted that other models were able to gauge the success of the behavioural change for a certain time of period. It is due to the fact that the adherence to the models other than TTM has been lowered (Biddle & Mutrie, 2008). The purpose of the establishment of TTM is considered to be the alteration of the smoking cessation. This means that the employment of TTM was initially done for behavioural change among the smokers. Later on, it was noted that TTM can be implemented in altering and designing different exercise for bringing behavioural change. A number of researchers have made use of TTM as a model to promote physical activity among individuals. According to the research by Adams and White (2003), the interventions based upon TTM are most effective among individuals because of the stages of contemplation. The research was mainly conducted by consideration of working papers from the popular medical databases such as Medline and PUB Medical were used. Keywords such as stages of change, activity and exercise were used to find relevant resources for the research. It was noted that consideration of different procedural stages is correct in the form of bringing change for humans in optimal beginning. Different elements and subjects that have been considered by TTM are effective for deploying a physical challenge to the individuals (Adams & White, 2003). Despite the uniqueness of the TTM, the model has been addressed with a lot of criticism by the researchers. The most common critical address which has been noted to affect model’s application is the conceptual base. In other words, it could be said that the model employs stage-based theories of human behaviour which is considered doubted on the basis of conceptualization. Macnee and McCabe (2004) believe that the analytical tools employed in the model are not effective to measure the change in human behaviour. Such a critical address has been posed to the model because of the consideration of human behaviour as a versatile one which can further be categorized in a number of stages. This is an imperative aspect in the critical address for the model (Buckworth & Dishman, 2002). As a result of critical addresses that were being posed to TTM, a lot of research was put underway to understand the geniuses of the critical addresses (Hayden, 2009). It was noted as per the research that longitudinal trails made it obvious to understand that interventions based upon TTM are able to make great difference in the physical activities of individuals. It is for this reason that the TTM based interventions was awarded with the Gold Award because of its achievement in bringing behavioural change. This has been noted occasionally that any model is awarded with such a label in health management (Timmins, 2011). It was also noted that the studies which are conducted in order to note the inefficiency of the TTM based intervention lacked consideration of cage behaviour throughout the constructs of TTM. It can also be said that the studies which have been conducted to note the inefficiency of TTM did not employ an effective research method. There were shortcomings of sample size in such studies or the follow-ups to the study remained limited. It should also be noted that the studies were not effective in terms of recruitment rates (Lenio, 2006). Problem associated with Adherence to Exercise: As per other critical addresses, it was noted that adherence to the interventions based upon TTM, a large number of individuals were able to manage their stress. The application and adherence to the TTM based intervention has been a very important concern of the physical health promoters. Studies were also conducted to understand the problems with the adherence to the TTM. It was noted that the biggest problem faced by the individuals was lack of self-efficiency (Dishman, Washburn, & Heath, 2007). In other words, it could be said that lowered adherence of individuals with the TTM based interventions could be lowered self-efficiency. Self-efficiency is basically defined as a behavioural character which notes that a person should be able to build his or her viewpoint regarding the act to bring behavioural change. Self-efficiency is a tool that helps an individual to understand his or her capacity to bring change in him. It will not be incorrect to state that a person with high self-efficiency level is able to perform as a defining element of bringing change. A person who is able to understand his capability will surely look ahead to being confident in him even in risk-based situations. Thus, it can be said that if people needs to continue the habit of psychical activity then they must be aware of their self-efficiency levels to ensure physical activities (Howley & Frank, 2007). Conclusion: Through the above critical analysis of the transtheoretical model of behavioural change, it can be stated that it is an effective tool to bring behavioural change among individuals. It is a systematic approached model that has a pragmatic approach. A number of critics have claimed that the model is not able to gauge a long term benefits but in comparison with other models of similar kind, it was noted that the stage base processes were more effective in bringing positive behavioural change. Critical studies which were conducted to the review the effectiveness of the TTM based interventions were poorly designed in terms of methodology. Thus, it is for this reason, TTM based model cannot be considered as non-applicable. In fact, the TTM based interventions should be considered as an effective way to bring behavioural change because of its achievement of award in the field of health management. It should also be noted that the interventions based upon the TTM models are becoming a victim of low self-efficiency measure. Individuals who are much aware of their self-efficiency levels are more likely to adhere to the physical exercises based upon TTM in their daily routine. References List Adams, J., & White, M. (2003). Are activity promotion interventions based on the transtheoretical model effective? A critical review. International Journal of Human and Social Sciences , 5, 106–114. Biddle, S., & Mutrie, N. (2008). Psychology of Physical Activity: Determinants, Well-being, and Interventions. Washington DC.: Routledge. Buckworth, J., & Dishman, R. (2002). Exercise Psychology. New York: Human Kinetics. Carlin, C. (2009). The Impact of Voluntary Participation in a Community Fitness Center on the Health and Well-being of African American Women Over 40 Years of Age. New York: ProQuest. Dishman, R., Washburn, R., & Heath, G. (2007). Physical Activity Epidemiology. New York: Human Kinetics. Hayden, J. (2009). Introduction to Health Behaviour Theory. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Howley, E., & Frank, B. (2007). Fitness Professionals Handbook. New York: Human Kinetics. Lenio, J. (2006). Analysis of the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change. Journal of Student Research , 73-85. Moran, A. (2004). 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