Prochaska's model AD

Question 1

Prochaska’s six stage model

Answer 1

this explains the stages people go through to change their behaviour

Question 2

What did Prochaska and DiClemente notice about smoker’s behaviour?

Answer 2

It changed during the time that they were trying to quit.

Question 3

What does the model recognise?

Answer 3

that overcoming addiction does not happen overnight and it is a cyclical process

Question 4

What is the model based on?

Answer 4

how people who are addicted differ in how ready they are to change their behaviour and how the usefulness of treatment intervention depends on the stage a person is in

Question 5

Describe the precontemplation stage

Answer 5

People in this stage do not think about changing their addiction related behaviour in the next 6 months or so. Perhaps this is because of denial that the person has a problem. Or it could be because of demotivation.

Question 6

What type of intervention is useful in the precontemplation stage?

Answer 6

Intervention at this stage should focus on helping the person consider changing their behaviours.

Question 7

Describe the contemplation stage

Answer 7

Someone in this stage is thinking about changing their behaviour in the next 6 months. But this does not mean that they have decided to change but are just getting more and more aware of the need to change. People can remain in this stage for a long time.

Question 8

What type of intervention is most useful in the contemplation stage?

Answer 8

The most useful intervention at this time would be to help the person see the pros of quitting.

Question 9

Describe the preparation stage

Answer 9

Now the person believes that the pros outweigh the costs and they decide to change their addicted related behaviour within the next month. But they don’t yet know how.

Question 10

What is the most useful intervention at the preparation stage?

Answer 10

having support for creating a plan

Question 11

Describe the action stage

Answer 11

People have now done something to change their behaviour in the last 6 months. CBT may be effective here. Or the person could cut up their cigarettes. The action the person takes must substantially reduce their risk.

Question 12

What type of intervention would be useful at the action stage?

Answer 12

to develop coping skills

Question 13

Describe the maintenance stage

Answer 13

The person has maintained some changes of behaviour for more than 6 months. The focus is on relapse prevention. The person becomes more confident in abstaining.

Question 14

What intervention is useful at the maintenance stage?

Answer 14

Intervention here focuses on relapse prevention and aims to help the client to apply their coping skills.

Question 15

Describe the termination stage

Answer 15

Newly acquired behaviours are now automatic. The person no longer returns to addiction to help with stress etc. This might not be possible for all addicts to achieve.

Question 16

Is intervention needed at the termination stage?

Answer 16

no

Question 17

What are the 6 stages in order?

Answer 17

1. precontemplation
2. contemplation
3. preparation
4. action
5. maintenance
6. termination

Question 18

Describe one strength of Prochaska’s model in terms of it being a dynamic process

Answer 18

Recovery is viewed as a dynamic process
* Emphasises importance of time and how addiction in a continuing process
* Behaviour change occurs through 6 stages
* A person can move through any stage at any time
Stage model provides a realistic view of the complex and active nature of recovery from addiction.

Question 19

Describe a counterpoint to a strength of Prochaska’s model in terms of it being a dynamic process

Answer 19

• Stages criticised for arbitrary
• No research evidence to distinguish between stages
• Kraft et al argue that the 6 stages can be reduced to 2
• Precontemplation and then all the other ones grouped together
  Prochaska’s model has little usefulness for understanding changes over time and for treatment recommendations.

Question 20

Describe how prochaska’s model has a positive view of relapse

Answer 20

• ‘Relapse is the rule rather than the exception’ according to DiClemente et al
• Relapse is not viewed as failure in the stage model but as an inevitable part of the dynamic process of behaviour change
• Relapse is not underestimated
  The model has face validity with clients and is more acceptable because they can see it is realistic about relapse.

Question 21

Describe how there is contradictory research for the model

Answer 21

• Taylor et al conducted a meta analysis of 24 reviews of the six-stage model
• Model was no more effective than alternatives in changing nicotine addiction related behaviours
• Defined stages in behaviour change can also not be validated by data
  The overall research picture is negative.