Title

Strong and Weak Principles for Progressing From Precontemplation to Action on the Basis of Twelve Problem Behaviors

Authors

James O. Prochaska, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1994

Abstract

Two principles for progressing from the precontemplation stage of change to the action stage were discovered. The strong principle states that progression from precontemplation to action is a function of approximately a 1 standard deviation increase in the pros of a health behavior change. The weak principle states that progression from precontemplation to action is a function of approximately a 1 2 standard deviation decrease in the cons of a health behavior change. In Study 1, these principles were derived from cross-sectional data on 12 problem behaviors relating the pros and cons of changing to the stages of change. In Study 2, these principles were validated on cross-sectional data from an independent sample of 1,466 smokers. Discussion focuses on the implications of these principles for individual psychology and public health policy.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Health Psychology

Volume

13

Issue

1

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Prochaska, James O.. "Strong and Weak Principles for Progressing From Precontemplation to Action on the Basis of Twelve Problem Behaviors." Health Psychology 13, 1 (1994): 47-51. doi: 10.1037/0278-6133.13.1.47.