What stage in the transtheoretical model of change involves awareness of a problem but no committed action?

In the transtheoretical model of change, the stage characterized by awareness of a problem but no committed action is known as contemplation. During this stage, individuals recognize that they have a problem and may start to think about making a change, but they have not yet taken any concrete steps toward altering their behavior. This is a crucial phase because it involves reflection and consideration, which can eventually lead to motivation to progress to the next stage, where they begin to prepare for taking action.

In contrast, the preparation stage involves individuals who are ready to act and may be planning specific steps to make a change. The action stage refers to the implementation of those changes, while the maintenance stage focuses on sustaining the behaviors changed to prevent relapse. Each of these other stages builds upon the self-awareness developed during the contemplation stage, highlighting its importance in the overall process of behavior change.