What is typically a goal when moving from the Action stage to the Maintenance stage?

The goal of moving from the Action stage to the Maintenance stage in behavior change models is primarily focused on establishing sustainable behavior changes. During the Action stage, individuals are actively implementing strategies to modify their behavior, often resulting in significant changes. However, simply making changes is not sufficient for long-term success.

As individuals transition into the Maintenance stage, the emphasis shifts to solidifying these changes and ensuring they become enduring habits. This involves creating routines, developing coping strategies to deal with potential challenges, and reinforcing the new behaviors so that they remain part of the individual’s lifestyle. The Maintenance stage is crucial because it addresses the potential for relapse and seeks to enhance an individual’s ability to sustain positive changes over time.

Therefore, establishing sustainable behavior changes is the central theme when moving into the Maintenance stage, as it reflects a commitment to long-term adherence to the new lifestyle or behavior patterns that have been adopted during the Action stage.