Alex is working with a client, Maria. Maria has recently gone through a major life transition, such as a divorce, but she remains engaged in her work and social activities. She has started attending personal development workshops and has joined a community support group. Which stage of change is Maria in?
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✓ Correct answer: C. ActionAnswer: Action Maria is in the action stage of change. In this stage, people have recently changed their behavior (defined as within the last 6 months) and intend to keep moving forward with that behavior change. People may exhibit this by modifying their problem behavior or acquiring new healthy behaviors. In this scenario, making a commitment publicly to a social worker can help formalize this process to make Maria more committed. She also can talk through her decisions with her social worker; in any event she has taken concrete steps in terms of personal development and community support groups. Precontemplation is the first stage of change where people do not intend to take action in the foreseeable future (defined as within the next 6 months). People are often unaware that their behavior is problematic or produces negative consequences. People in this stage often underestimate the pros of changing behavior and place too much emphasis on the cons of changing behavior. Contemplation is the second stage of change when an individual is considering the act of changing to fix their issue. In this stage, people are intending to start the healthy behavior in the foreseeable future (defined as within the next 6 months). People recognize that their behavior may be problematic, and a more thoughtful and practical consideration of the pros and cons of changing the behavior takes place, with equal emphasis placed on both. Even with this recognition, people may still feel ambivalent toward changing their behavior. Preparation (also known as determination) is the third stage of change. In this stage, people are ready to take action within the next 30 days. People start to take small steps toward the behavior change, and they believe changing their behavior can lead to a healthier life.
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