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

The term "termination" in the context of behavior change refers to a stage where a new behavior has become established and is now maintained over time without the risk of relapse. At this point, the individual has successfully integrated the behavior into their daily routine and it no longer requires active effort or reinforcement to sustain it.

This understanding highlights the significance of reaching a point of stability after a successful change, indicating that the person has effectively adapted to the new behavior. In the stages of behavior change model, termination represents not just cessation of previous behaviors but also the achievement of a lasting transformation—where maintaining the new behavior feels natural and intrinsic to the individual's lifestyle.