Which statement about Prochaska's stages of change model is correct?

Prochaska's stages of change model, also known as the Transtheoretical Model, highlights that individuals do not necessarily progress through the stages of change in a fixed, linear manner. This flexibility is reflected in the correct statement about a person being able to be in one stage for one health behavior change while being in a different stage for another behavior. For instance, an individual may be in the contemplation stage regarding their dietary habits—thinking about adopting a healthier diet—while simultaneously being in the action stage for increasing their physical activity, such as starting a regular exercise routine.

The model recognizes that people may have varying degrees of readiness to change different behaviors, which can be influenced by numerous factors like personal motivation, social support, or contextual challenges. This nuanced understanding allows health and wellness coaches to tailor their approaches to each individual's unique circumstances and behaviors rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method.

In contrast, the other statements imply a rigidity in the progression through the stages that does not align with the model's emphasis on the complexity of behavior change. For example, not all individuals experience a fixed timeline such as the suggested four-week duration for each stage, nor do they revert to the precontemplation stage after a relapse; instead, they may