The adaptive change model: an advance on the transtheoretical model of change

The author proposed a hypothetical model of change, the adaptive change model (ACM), to advance the current conceptualization and operationalization of the transtheoretical model of change (TTM; D. Grimley, J. Prochaska, W. Velicer, M. Blais, & C. DiClemente, 1994; J. Prochaska, 1979; J. Prochaska & C. DiClemente, 1984). He used exploratory factor analysis to identify items contributing to 2 sets of factors defining the Adaptive Change Questionnaire (T. Bowles, 2001). The factors were consistent for both clinical (n = 222) and nonclinical (n = 194) respondents. The first set of factors defined the process of change and included Openness to Opportunity, Visualization, Planning, Action, and Closure. The second set of factors described the factors that support change and included Social Support, Inner Drive, and Negative Emotions. Through analysis of gender effects, the author found that men scored significantly and slightly higher than did women on Openness to Opportunity, Visualization, and Inner Drive. There were no interactions involving gender and clinical status. Discriminant function analysis predicting clinical status on the basis of the 8 factors placed 80% of respondents in the correct category. The author discusses the relevance of the ACM in comparison with the characteristics of the TTM.