Practical guidance on the use of motivational interviewing to support behaviour change

Johnston, L., Hilton, C. and Dempsey, F. (2021) Practical guidance on the use of motivational interviewing to support behaviour change. In: Belo Ravara, S., Dağli, E., Katsaounou, P., Lewis, K. E. and Pisinger, C. (eds.) Supporting Tobacco Cessation. European Respiratory Society, pp. 56-75. ISBN 9781849841283 (doi: 10.1183/2312508X.10002320)

Abstract

Motivational interviewing is essentially a client-centred conversation about change and is a useful, pragmatic approach to use within a tobacco-dependence context. A brief comparison between traditional advice-giving and motivational interviewing is followed by a short review of the background to motivational interviewing, together with examples of its use in smoking cessation. We describe the underpinning spirit of the method, the importance of the concept of psychological ambivalence and the need to view change as a psychological process linked to core client-centred values. We discuss how to work with the language of change, highlighting the concepts of “change talk”, “sustain talk” and “discord”, and introduce the four key processes in motivational interviewing: engaging, focusing, eliciting and planning. Examples of motivational interviewing-specific strategies are provided that can be used to help engage clients, focus on a target behaviour for change, resolve their ambivalence, increase their internal motivation and move into planning for change. A critique of appropriate training pathways to develop proficiency in motivational interviewing is provided. Examples of clinical dialogue are included to aid the reader in the application of key concepts.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Johnston, Dr Lynne
• Authors: Johnston, L., Hilton, C., and Dempsey, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Publisher: European Respiratory Society
• ISBN: 9781849841283