THE TRANSTHEORETICAL MODEL OF CHANGE - A GUIDE FOR BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT

The article reviews research on a most promising contemporary concept of behavioral change - transtheoretical model of change. Multiple stud ies, primarily in the field of smoking cessation, provided strong empi rical support for various model constructs. The key elements of the mo del, such as stages of change, processes of change, and outcome measur es (decisional balance, self-efficacy and temptation) are reviewed. Th e comprehensive multi-dimensional nature of the model, and integration between its components is emphatized. The model's implications in ter ms of improving behavioral treatment and potential areas of implementa tion including addictive and nonaddictive problem behaviors are discus sed.