Future Research
The trans theoretical model was first introduced in the 1980's, and since then, it has been used in hospitals, health facilities, fortune 500 companies, teams, organizations and many more. In many cases, the model has been proven effective in helping people change their behaviors. With that being said though, their are aspects about the model that need to be researched in the future in order to give the model more stability for use in the research community.
Longer Studies: In many of the studies, researchers compiled data over a time span that was relatively short for changing behaviors. Six months to a year is not long enough to truly tell if the individual makes a long lasting change in the behavior. If the participant of the model does make significant steps during the program, it is likely that they will continue the habit.; this is not always the case though. Some individuals will end up going back to the same behaviors that they once participated in. Conducting studies over 5, 10 or even 20 years will further give credibility to the model and its implementation
More Control Groups: In several of the studies conducted using the TTM, they used the model on the participants, and did not have a control group in the study as well. Control groups are important in research, because the model then has a baseline to be measured up against. Their are plenty of variables that come into play when doing research, and having a control group allows to point out those unexpected variables,m in order to increase validity., In future research, one group should use the TTM and program set out, while the other control group should just engage in the program without the use of a model.
Use of Longitudinal studies: The model uses plenty of participants for the studies, but rather than having a larger volume of participants, they should be using the method of longitudinal studies. A longitudinal study is one that is a repeated observation of variables over a long duration of time; often these type of studies can last for many decade. The purpose of conducting a study in this way, is so that the observer can see behavioral trends over a life span rather than just a short duration. This type of study can also be conducted from generation to generation. The TTM, should implement more of these studies to increase validity, as well as measure behavioral trends, to prove the effectiveness of the model.
Growing the use of the TTM: In order for the model to be used in more settings, more studies have to be conducted using varying levels of duration, participation, geographical representation, control groups and variables. The theory is good, and for many people it has been proven effective in changing their behavior, but due to the fact that the model has only been around since the 80's, it still has a lot to prove.. I believe that an aspect of the model that has and will continue to be effective in implementation, is that of the step by step progression and individual pace that each person can take it at. Each person is different than the next, and this model allows it the participant to mode it to their own needs.
Longer Studies: In many of the studies, researchers compiled data over a time span that was relatively short for changing behaviors. Six months to a year is not long enough to truly tell if the individual makes a long lasting change in the behavior. If the participant of the model does make significant steps during the program, it is likely that they will continue the habit.; this is not always the case though. Some individuals will end up going back to the same behaviors that they once participated in. Conducting studies over 5, 10 or even 20 years will further give credibility to the model and its implementation
More Control Groups: In several of the studies conducted using the TTM, they used the model on the participants, and did not have a control group in the study as well. Control groups are important in research, because the model then has a baseline to be measured up against. Their are plenty of variables that come into play when doing research, and having a control group allows to point out those unexpected variables,m in order to increase validity., In future research, one group should use the TTM and program set out, while the other control group should just engage in the program without the use of a model.
Use of Longitudinal studies: The model uses plenty of participants for the studies, but rather than having a larger volume of participants, they should be using the method of longitudinal studies. A longitudinal study is one that is a repeated observation of variables over a long duration of time; often these type of studies can last for many decade. The purpose of conducting a study in this way, is so that the observer can see behavioral trends over a life span rather than just a short duration. This type of study can also be conducted from generation to generation. The TTM, should implement more of these studies to increase validity, as well as measure behavioral trends, to prove the effectiveness of the model.
Growing the use of the TTM: In order for the model to be used in more settings, more studies have to be conducted using varying levels of duration, participation, geographical representation, control groups and variables. The theory is good, and for many people it has been proven effective in changing their behavior, but due to the fact that the model has only been around since the 80's, it still has a lot to prove.. I believe that an aspect of the model that has and will continue to be effective in implementation, is that of the step by step progression and individual pace that each person can take it at. Each person is different than the next, and this model allows it the participant to mode it to their own needs.