What does "maintenance" refer to in the context of behavior change?

In the context of behavior change, "maintenance" refers to the stage where an individual stabilizes and sustains the new behavior after successfully engaging in a change process. This phase is critical because it involves the continued application of strategies that help the individual preserve the positive changes they have made, preventing the return to previous undesirable behaviors.

During the maintenance stage, individuals typically work on reinforcing the new behavior, managing triggers, and creating supportive environments to ensure that the change is long-lasting. This is an essential part of behavior change models, as many individuals may experience challenges or temptations that could lead them back to old habits. Hence, the focus of maintenance is on ongoing commitment and resilience to sustain the positives achieved through initial behavior changes.

In contrast, starting a new behavior, relapsing, or evaluating past behaviors represent different aspects of the behavioral change process, but they do not encompass the sustained and ongoing effort to maintain those changes that characterize the maintenance stage.