What term describes the extent to which behavior change lasts over time after the intervention has ended?

What term describes the extent to which behavior change lasts over time after the intervention has ended?

• A. Generalization
• B. Maintenance
• C. Retention
• D. Durability

Answer: (B)

Sustaining a new behavior over time after the program ends is maintenance. This term captures the idea that the change continues once external support has stopped, which is exactly what the question asks. Generalization is about applying the behavior in different settings, not about how long the change lasts after the intervention. Retention refers to keeping information or skills in memory during a period, not the persistence of a behavioral change. Durability isn’t the conventional label used for long-term behavioral effects, though it could be used informally; maintenance is the established term for enduring change after the intervention concludes.

Sustaining a new behavior over time after the program ends is maintenance. This term captures the idea that the change continues once external support has stopped, which is exactly what the question asks. Generalization is about applying the behavior in different settings, not about how long the change lasts after the intervention. Retention refers to keeping information or skills in memory during a period, not the persistence of a behavioral change. Durability isn’t the conventional label used for long-term behavioral effects, though it could be used informally; maintenance is the established term for enduring change after the intervention concludes.