Running head: THEORY PAPER

RCLS 445, Processes and Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation

Katherine Campbell
May 20, 2015
Theory Paper

Theory Paper

THEORY PAPER

Throughout this theory paper, I will be discussing the transtheoretical model (TTM). I
will talk about the key individuals that started the development of this model, along with its
history. The description of this model will be addressed as well as the relevancy to therapeutic
recreation. I will be referencing three outside resources along with our book to verify my
information. I will end my paper with a conclusion and reference list.
Key Individuals and History
Within the development of the transtheorectical model (also known as the Stages of
Change) Boston University School of Public Health (2013) talk about the key individuals that
developed the model, Prochaska and DiClemente. The history of TTM is quite clear; Prochaska
and DiClente published this model, also called the Stages of Change in 1983 to help describe the
processes of people quitting smoking (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011, p.118). There are five stages
within this model: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintance (Clark,
2013, p.2). Stumbo and Wardlaw (2011, p.131) say this model has been studied with a number of
health behavioral changes, and uses a variety of major theories which explains the name,
transtheoretical. This model is also a popular among health literature when discussing healthbehavior-change (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011, p.131).
Description of Model
This model has five stages as I mentioned earlier, precontemplation, contemplation,
preparation, action and maintenance. These stages explain the process that the person who is
changing goes through. A person can alternate throughout each stage at any time except the first
stage. Once a person is aware of their need to change they cannot undo what has already been
acknowledged. It is said that these five stages are characterized by a temporal dimension of
readiness and intention to change (Choi, 2013, p.2).

THEORY PAPER

To understand these stages better I want to describe them. In the precontemplation stage,
individuals have no intention of changing their behaviors; they could be unaware or even
uninformed about what is needed to change (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011, p.132). They often will
avoid talking, reading or thinking about their high risk behaviors (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011,
p.132). In the next stage, contemplation, individuals become aware of their risky behaviors and
plan to change within the next six months. They are not ready to make an immediate change
right away but they do intend to take action when the times arises (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011,
p.132). The preparation stage is where the individual begins to make plans to change within
thirty days. Stumbo and Wardlaw (p. 132, 2011) give examples of preparing such as, signing up
for a personal trainer, joining a health education class, or buying a self-help book. The fourth
stage, action, is the one in which people have made specific, significant, and overt modification
in their lifestyles within the past 6 months (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011, p. 132). The final stage,
maintenance, is where the individual strives to prevent relapse into their previous unhealthy
behavior. This is where the individual is less tempted to return to those unhealthy behaviors and
becomes more confident in maintaining their new change (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 201, p. 132). The
end result should be termination. This is where the individual is no longer tempted and does not
want to return to their previous unhealthy behavior (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011, p.132).
Relevancy to Therapeutic Recreation
The transtheorectical model can be used with a wide variety of individuals. This model
can be implemented into therapeutic recreation in a variety of ways one being, providing leisure
education. With leisure education, it allows a professional to consider and harness the concepts
of relationship, expectation and individual qualities to best help a client change (Stumbo &
Wardlaw, 2011, p.119). A therapeutic recreational specialist can use TTM to help educate their

THEORY PAPER

client in leisure education to change their behavior. A therapeutic recreational specialist (TRS)
working within the mental health setting can also use TTM to help evaluate how ready a person
is to change and to follow through (Stumbo & Wardlaw, 2011). An example could be someone
fighting obesity; the TRS can help the individual within each stage to obtain their end goal. This
model can be used with a variety of populations which is ideal for therapeutic recreation.
Conclusion
Throughout this paper I covered the key individuals that developed this model and
discussed the history of TTM. The five stages of the TTM which are, precontemplation,
contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance were also addressed. I also discussed how
TTM is relevant to therapeutic recreation. In conclusion, the transtheorectical model is helpful
when individuals want to change their unhealthy behaviors, most likely they will be even more
successful with the help of a professional such as a therapeutic recreational specialist.

References

THEORY PAPER

Boston University School of Public Health (2013). Retrieved May 15, 2015 from
http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/SB721-Models/SB721-Models6.html
Choi, J. H., Chung, K., & Park, K. (2013). Psychosocial predictors of four health-promoting
behaviors for cancer prevention using the stage of change of transtheoretical model. PsychoOncology, 22(10), 2253-2261. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2013-35253-015&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Clark, P. G. (2013). Toward a transtheoretical model of interprofessional education: Stages,
processes and forces supporting institutional change. Journal of Interprofessional Care,
27(1), 43-49. doi:10.3109/13561820.2012.730074
Stumbo, N. J. & Wardlaw, B. (2011). Facilitation of Therapeutic Recreation Services. An
Evidence-Based and Best Practice Approach to Techniques and Processes. State College,
PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.