CSSD Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

Sustained behavior change for more than six months is defined as the maintenance stage. This stage is characterized by an individual's ability to continue practicing the new behavior over an extended period, reflecting a commitment to a long-term lifestyle change. During the maintenance stage, individuals have typically moved beyond the initial excitement of change and are now integrated their new behaviors into their daily lives as a regular part of their routine.

In contrast, the preparation stage involves making plans to change and preparing for the new behavior but does not yet focus on sustaining it. The action stage represents the implementation of the change, where individuals actively engage in the new behavior, but this is typically for a shorter duration—less than six months. The precontemplation stage is focused on individuals who are not yet considering any change and have no intention of taking action in the foreseeable future. Thus, the definition of sustained behavior change aligns clearly with the maintenance stage, highlighting the individual’s long-term commitment to their behavioral changes.