What is the main focus of strategies employed during the Maintenance stage?

The main focus of strategies employed during the Maintenance stage revolves around sustaining behaviors. At this stage of behavior change, individuals have already successfully made changes to their lifestyle or habits and are now concentrating on maintaining those changes over time. This involves reinforcing the positive behaviors, managing potential relapses, and integrating those behaviors into their daily routine to ensure they become permanent.

Sustaining behaviors means that individuals develop strategies to keep themselves motivated and committed to their new lifestyle. They may utilize techniques such as self-monitoring, seeking social support, or developing contingency plans to navigate challenges. The emphasis is on creating an environment where the new behaviors can thrive and remain consistent, rather than falling back into previous habits.

In contrast, options that suggest identifying barriers, making final decisions, or planning new actions are more indicative of earlier stages in the change process. These aspects focus on preparation and problem-solving, which are crucial during the initial stages of behavior modification but are less central to the Maintenance phase.