Name ______

Behavior Change

Making a Health Behavior Change

Days / Topic / Description
Week 1 / Contemplation & Precontemplation / Behavior Change &DECIDE Models
Week 2 / Preparation / Health Belief Model & Goal Setting
Week 3 / Action / Page 6. Journaling
Week 4 / Action / Page 7. Journaling
Week 5 / Action / Page 8. Journaling
Week 6 / Action / Page 9. Journaling
Week 7 / Maintenance / Reflection

Behavior Change Project

Directions: Over the next two months you will be considering and then making a health behavior change based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change.

Transtheoretical model of behavior change

  • Precontemplation is the stage at which there is no intention to change behavior in the foreseeable future. Many individuals in this stage are unaware or under aware of their problems.
  • Contemplation is the stage in which people are aware that a problem exists and are seriously thinking about overcoming it but have not yet made a commitment to take action.
  • Preparation is a stage that combines intention and behavioral criteria. Individuals in this stage are intending to take action in the next month and have unsuccessfully taken action in the past year.
  • Action is the stage in which individuals modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome their problems. Action involves the most overt behavioral changes and requires considerable commitment of time and energy.
  • Maintenance is the stage in which people work to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action. For addictive behaviors this stage extends from six months to an indeterminate period past the initial action.

Stage 1 – Precontemplation (week 1)

Precontemplation is the stage at which there is no intention to change behavior in the foreseeable future. Many individuals in this stage are unaware or under aware of their problems.

At the start of this project you will most likely be in the Precontemplation Stage. Below you are going to list five potential health related changes that you could possibly make in your life and explain why you are interested in making the change. USE RAD.

  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______
  4. ______
  5. ______

Stage 2 – Contemplation (week 1)

Contemplation is the stage in which people are aware that a problem exists and are seriously thinking about overcoming it but have not yet made a commitment to take action.

After reviewing the five options above choose the one that you are most interested in pursuing. Use the DECIDE Model to choose which of your options from “Precontemplation” (page 2) would be the best one for you to pursue.

Decision to be made –

Evaluate Alternatives (5 from page 2) –

Consequences (Pros & Cons) –

Information & Values to Consider –

Decision –

Evaluate Decision –

Why have you chosen to focus on this health behavior over the other options you listed in Precontemplation? USE RAD.

______

Health Belief Model

Before detailing your plan, you will use the Health Belief Model to determine how likely you are to make the change that you have chosen to make.

Concept / Definition / Application
Perceived Susceptibility / One's opinion of chances of getting a condition / Define population(s) at risk, risk levels; personalize risk based on a person's features or behavior; heighten perceived susceptibility if too low.
Perceived Severity / One's opinion of how serious a condition and its consequences are / Specify consequences of the risk and the condition
Perceived Benefits / One's belief in the efficacy of the advised action to reduce risk or seriousness of impact / Define action to take; how, where, when; clarify the positive effects to be expected.
Perceived Barriers / One's opinion of the tangible and psychological costs of the advised action / Identify and reduce barriers through reassurance, incentives, assistance.
Cues to Action / Strategies to activate "readiness" / Provide how-to information, promote awareness, reminders.
Self-Efficacy / Confidence in one's ability to take action / Provide training, guidance in performing action.

What is you Perceived Susceptibility of having long term health problems if you don’t make this behavior change?

______

What is the Perceived Severity long term if you don’t make behavior change?

______

What are your Perceived Benefits of making this behavior change?

______

What are some Perceived Barriers to not making this behavior change?

______

What were some Cues to Action for you to make this behavior change?

______

How do you feel about your Self-Efficacy to make this behavior change?

______

Stage 3 – Preparation (week 2)

Preparation is a stage that combines intention and behavioral criteria. Individuals in this stage are intending to take action in the next month and may have unsuccessfully taken action in the past year.

During the Preparation Stage people make plans and set goals. What is your plan to change the health behavior you have chosen above? What goals have you set for your self? Be very specific and detailed. The more detail you put into your plans and goals the more likely you are to be successful.

Setting Your Goal:

  1. Go to:
  2. Click on the “Making a Change” tool
  3. Fill out the goal journal
  4. Print and attach to the back of the packet.

USE RAD.

What is your overall goal ______

______

Explain your Plan in detail (what, where, when, why, how). USE RAD. ______

Stage 4 – Action (week 3-6)

Action is the stage in which individuals modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome their problems. Action involves the most overt behavioral changes and requires considerable commitment of time and energy.

You will be in the Action Stage for four weeks. You will journal three times a week each week during this stage. Be detailed in your journal entry and use the space provided. USE RAD.

Journal Questions:

  • Overall, how is the experience going for you?
  • What changes have you noticed since your last journal entry?
  • What are some positives of the health behavior change to this point?
  • What are some negatives of the health behavior change to this point?
  • Any modifications to your goal or plans that you are considering.
  • In what part of your life have you noticed the changes most?
  • Anything else you would like to write on.

Week 1 – Journal Entry 1 (week 3)

______

Week 1 – Journal Entry 2 (week 3)

______

Week 1 – Journal Entry 3 (week 3)

______

Week 2 – Journal Entry 1 (week 4)

______

Week 2 – Journal Entry 2 (week 4)

______

Week 2 – Journal Entry 3 (week 4)

______

Week 3 – Journal Entry 1 (week 5)

______

Week 3 – Journal Entry 2 (week 5)

______

Week 3 – Journal Entry 3 (week 5)

______

______

Week 4 – Journal Entry 1 (week 6)

______

______

Week 4 – Journal Entry 2 (week 6)

______

Week 4 – Journal Entry 3 (week 6)

______

______

______

Stage 5 – Maintenance (week 7)

Maintenance is the stage in which people work to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action. For addictive behaviors this stage extends from six months to an indeterminate period past the initial action.

Answer the following questions regarding your experience with the Lifestyle Change Project. Use RAD.

  1. At this point in the assignment you have earned your points. Please answer honestly. Do you plan to continue on with the behavior change you have made? Why or why not?

______

  1. Were you able to attain the goal that you set for your self? Why or why not?

______

  1. Have you noticed any changes in your life as a result of the lifestyle change project? (If you make a behavior change it will result in other changes, if you say no you must defend your answer)

______

  1. What adjustments did you have to make during the process?

______

  1. List and explain the health benefits of you lifestyle change for each dimension of health. (Look back to Health Reading 1 in your Life Skills Packet for definitions of each)

Physical______Mental______

Social______

Emotional______

Spiritual______

Environmental______

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