The transtheoretical model applied to an oral self-care behavioral change: development and testing of instruments for stages of change and decisional balance.

Abstract

Stages of change and decisional balance instruments were developed and shown to be valid and reliable. Based upon the oral self-care behavior defined in this study, these instruments can identify an individual's current behavior and assess readiness to change by analyzing the distribution of the pros and cons a person considers when making a behavioral change. Understanding a client's behavioral stage would enable the practitioner to select and provide appropriate interventions. Further research should focus upon development of stage-appropriate intervention strategies and techniques, in order to move individuals along the continuum of stages toward behavioral change. Additionally, research with parallel and diverse populations is indicated.