In which stage is a person likely to be recognized for having adopted a positive action permanently?

The termination or adoption stage is characterized by a person's successful integration of new behaviors into their lifestyle, to the point where these changes have become a permanent part of their identity and routine. At this stage, the individual feels confident that they can sustain their positive actions without the risk of relapse. It reflects a complete resolution of the behavior change process, showing that they have possibly internalized the benefits of the action, thus recognizing it as a long-term commitment.

In the termination stage, the individual typically no longer perceives the behavior as a challenge or something requiring active effort to maintain. Instead, the behavior is seamlessly incorporated into their daily life. This level of commitment showcases a high degree of self-efficacy and motivation in maintaining positive changes, which is why this stage is deemed significant for permanent adoption.

While the preparation stage indicates a readiness to change and the action stage represents the initial implementation of new behaviors, they lack the permanence that defines the termination stage. The maintenance stage, while important for preventing relapse, still sees individuals requiring vigilance to sustain changes. The distinction lies in the fact that termination denotes a state of permanently adopted behavior, with no intention or struggle to revert to previous patterns, making it the correct answer.