In which stage of the TTM has a patient maintained change for at least 6 months without a relapse?

The stage of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) referred to is the Maintenance stage. In this stage, individuals have successfully made a behavior change and have maintained this change for at least six months without any relapses. The focus during maintenance is on sustaining the new behavior over time and preventing backsliding into old habits.

Individuals in the Maintenance stage have typically developed strategies to cope with potential challenges and temptations, reinforcing their commitment to the new behavior. This stage is crucial in achieving long-term success and requires ongoing commitment and support to ensure that the desired change becomes a permanent aspect of the individual’s lifestyle.

Other stages in the model represent different aspects of the change process, such as considering change (Contemplation), planning for change (Preparation), and actively making changes (Action). However, it is specifically in the Maintenance stage that the focus shifts to sustaining those changes over a significant period, marking the transition from an active process to a more automated lifestyle adjustment.