The Assessment of Motivation and Application of a Motivational Interviewing Programme in a New Zealand Offender Sample

Abstract

Accurately measuring offender motivation to change is critical for determining placement of offenders on rehabilitation programmes, and particularly, the matching of offenders to the most appropriate modality and style of rehabilitative programme delivery. It is also essential in the empirical testing of the dominant model of motivation for behavioural change, the Transtheoretical Model of Change. In recent years the Transtheoretical Model of Change has been increasingly adopted within correctional settings as a theoretical approach guiding the assessment and intervention of offender motivation to change. However, there is limited empirical support for the generalisation of the Transtheoretical Model of Change from the areas of substance abuse to criminal offending. Study one outlines the rationale for, and development of, the Criminogenic Needs Inventory motivational assessment. This assessment is consistent with the Transtheoretical Model of Change. Results from study one provided qualified support for the reliability, construct and concurrent validity of this assessment approach with offenders. Study one has been submitted for publication (Anstiss, Polaschek & Wilson, in press). Study two involved the development and application of a motivational interviewing treatment programme. Using a matched control design, 58 offenders completed the motivational interviewing programme. Results indicated that the motivational interviewing participants had a 21% lower re-conviction, and 17% lower re-imprisonment rate, than control participants, over a follow-up period of up to four years following release from prison. These improvements in recidivism outcomes for the motivational interviewing group were matched by significant improvements in the Criminogenic Needs Inventory motivational assessment. There were mixed results for the predictive validity of the Criminogenic Needs Inventory motivational assessment. Discussion of results focused on the limited usefulness of the Transtheoretical Model of Change in explaining offending behaviour.