The transtheoretical model of change in adolescents: Implications for injury prevention

Pamela Kidd, Deborah Reed, Lori Weaver, Susan Westneat, Mary Kay Rayens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Many injury prevention interventions require changes in human behavior to reduce self-risk or risk to others. Promising injury prevention interventions may be discarded if they lack power to create a significant difference in outcomes when judging their ability to "move a person from nonaction or negative action to positive action (safety)." The transtheoretical model of change (TMC) allows greater sensitivity in detecting along the change process where an intervention may be effective. The stages of change consist of precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. Change is not viewed as an "all or none phenomenon." Method: Use of the TMC was examined using a quasiexperimental, cross-over design involving high school agriculture students enrolled in 21 schools in Kentucky (n=9), Iowa (n=7), and Mississippi (n=5). A series of physical and narrative simulations (safety training exercises) were developed with a focus on preventing amputation, spinal cord injury, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and noise-induced hearing loss. Contemplation and action, as part of the TMC, were measured using a 10-item, Likert-type, stages of change (SOC) instrument comprised of two subscales (reliability coefficients were .88 and .81, respectively). The final sample consisted of 790 students (373 treatment and 417 control). Results: There was a significant group effect for both contemplation, F(1,732)=197.4; p<.0001, and action, F(1,730)=106.1; p<.0001. A convenience sample of 29 of the participating students was selected for follow-up farm visits 1 year postparticipation. Of these students, 25 (86%) had made safety behavior changes in their farm work. Impact on Industry: The use of the TMC model can provide researchers with greater precision in examining intervention effectiveness in promoting change.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)281-288
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Safety Research
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2003

Keywords

  • Adolescent worker
  • Agricultural safety
  • Contemplation and action
  • Safety practice
  • Theory application

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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