Examining process variables in a motivational intervention for college student drinkers

Although studies indicate that adaptations of motivational interviewing (AMIs) are efficacious as brief interventions for heavy-drinking college students, researchers have yet to identify the clinical method's putative change agents. The present investigation aimed to replicate prior findings and elucidate four hypothesized change mechanisms: readiness for change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, and client agency. AMI participants significantly decreased their alcohol consumption over the 1-month follow-up period; however, the reductions were statistically comparable to the changes observed in the education control group. Measures of the proposed change agents generally remained stable across time, and the AMI did not differentially alter levels of the proposed change agents. Decreases in ambivalence predicted reductions in drinking when participant data were collapsed from both conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)