What stage of health behavior involves planning for a future change?

The stage of health behavior that involves planning for a future change is known as Preparation. In this stage, individuals recognize that they need to make a change and actively begin to make plans to do so. They start to take actionable steps, which might include setting specific goals, gathering resources, and developing strategies to facilitate the change. This is a crucial step in the change process as it signifies that the individual has moved beyond mere awareness of the need for change and is now committed to making it happen.

In contrast, the Maintenance stage focuses on sustaining the behavior change once it has been implemented. The Contemplation stage involves individuals thinking about the possibility of change and weighing the pros and cons, but they have not yet committed to taking action. The Precontemplation stage is characterized by a lack of awareness or acknowledgment of the need for change at all, meaning that individuals are not currently considering change whatsoever. Thus, Preparation is distinct because it is all about actively setting the groundwork for future changes.