Behaviour Change
Behaviour change is crucial to the effectiveness of all health and safety interventions.
Behavioural approaches can provide the leverage for achieving more effective and sustainable changes.
The Stage of Change approach
The stage of change approach (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982) – a theory of behaviour change from
the field of psychology – predicts that health-related behaviour change involves movement through
distinct stages, which determine the likely effectiveness of health interventions.
The stages are:
- Pre-contemplation (not considering changing)
- Contemplation (thinking about changing)
- Preparation (making plans to change)
- Action (in the process of changing)
- Maintenance (working to prevent relapse and consolidate gains)
From theory to practice
COPE’s Senior Research Scientist and Occupational Psychologist, Dr Zara Whysall, along with Professors
Roger and Cheryl Haslam at Loughborough University, has developed the Stage of Change approach to improve
health in the workplace setting (Whysall et al., 2007).
Interventions that are tailored according to individuals’ stage are likely to be much more effective
than "one-size-fits-all" programmes, by increasing the likelihood that changes will be implemented, adopted
and maintained (Whysall et al., 2006).
Contact us to find out how COPE’s Psychologists can use their expertise in promoting behaviour change to
help improve occupational health and performance in your organisation.
References and further information
Prochaska, J.O., & DiClemente, C.C. (1982).
Transtheoretical therapy: toward a more integrative model of change.
Psychotherapy: Theory Research and Practice; 19, p276-288.
Whysall, Z.J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, R.A. (2007).
Developing the Stage of Change Approach for the reduction of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Journal of Health Psychology; 12, p184-197.
Whysall, Z.J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, R.A. (2006).
A stage of change approach to reducing occupational ill health
Preventive Medicine; 43, p422-428.
Whysall, Z.J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, R.A. (2005).
A staged approach to reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace,
Health & Safety Executive, RR379 HSE Books, Sudbury. p1-77