Title
Comparing Perceptions of Motivation to Change: Clinicians Versus Their Substance-Abuse Clients
Location
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
Description
Although some clients enter treatment voluntarily to seek intervention for their substance abuse problems, most enter under coercive external pressures that may be perceived by clinicians as less influenced by addressing substance abuse than by appeasing mandates from the judicial system, family, or employers. Little research has examined and compared how clinicians assess clients’ extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to change as opposed to how the clients assess themselves. A congruency between the two parties’ assessments may inform the quality of the therapeutic relationship and facilitate an effective treatment plan. Using the Circumstance, Motivation, and Readiness Scales (CMR) and availability sampling methods, we surveyed both the clinicians and their clients (N = 31 clients and 11 clinicians). Results showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the ratings of the clinicians and their clients. The clinicians tended to rate the clients as having lower motivation and being less ready to change than the clients rated themselves. In addition, the clinicians rated three groups of clients similarly; no significant difference existed comparing (a) a court-mandated group, (b) a conditional (e.g., referred by family or welfare office), and (c) a voluntary group. Likewise, there was no significant difference with respect to clients’ own ratings, comparing the three client groups. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.
Keywords
Alcoholism; Compulsive behavior; Drug addiction; Drug addicts; Drug addicts—Rehabilitation; Motivation (Psychology); Social pressure; Substance abuse; Substance abuse—Treatment; Therapeutics
Disciplines
Community-Based Research | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Substance Abuse and Addiction
Language
English
Abstract
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Comparing Perceptions of Motivation to Change: Clinicians Versus Their Substance-Abuse Clients
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
Although some clients enter treatment voluntarily to seek intervention for their substance abuse problems, most enter under coercive external pressures that may be perceived by clinicians as less influenced by addressing substance abuse than by appeasing mandates from the judicial system, family, or employers. Little research has examined and compared how clinicians assess clients’ extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to change as opposed to how the clients assess themselves. A congruency between the two parties’ assessments may inform the quality of the therapeutic relationship and facilitate an effective treatment plan. Using the Circumstance, Motivation, and Readiness Scales (CMR) and availability sampling methods, we surveyed both the clinicians and their clients (N = 31 clients and 11 clinicians). Results showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the ratings of the clinicians and their clients. The clinicians tended to rate the clients as having lower motivation and being less ready to change than the clients rated themselves. In addition, the clinicians rated three groups of clients similarly; no significant difference existed comparing (a) a court-mandated group, (b) a conditional (e.g., referred by family or welfare office), and (c) a voluntary group. Likewise, there was no significant difference with respect to clients’ own ratings, comparing the three client groups. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.
Comments
Abstract attached as additional file.