Psychiatry Research EG

Motivation was viewed to be an effective factor in helping psychiatric patients to accept change and comply with hospital treatment. A motivational interviewing program developed by Miller (1985) was introduced to a sample of hospitalized psychiatric patients. This program was built on the basis of enhancing patients’ abilities for self-change. The effect of the program was measured by a developed instrument, standardized to assess change in both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for self-change and acceptance of hospitalization.
Patients showed significant improvement after application of the program. They demonstrated improved tendency to accept hospitalization and resume better responsibilities towards their treatment.
This improvement could be attributed to the motivational program and to other factors as well.
Nevertheless, therapists should be encourged to make use of this phenomenon of self-change rather than the classic didactic approach.