Stages of Change Model has Limited Value in Explaining the Change in Use of Cannabis among Adolescent Participants in an Efficacious Motivational Interviewing Intervention. Issue 5 (20th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dupont, Hans B.; Candel, Math J. J. M.; Lemmens, Paul; Kaplan, Charles D.; van de Mheen, Dike; De Vries, Nanne K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychoactive drugs. Volume 49:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2017-10-20
• Subjects: Cannabis -- motivational interviewing -- stages of change model -- targeted prevention -- transtheoretical model; Hallucinogenic drugs -- Periodicals; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Hallucinogens -- Periodicals; Psychotropic Drugs -- Periodicals; Drogues -- Périodiques; Hallucinogènes -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1325030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0279-1072

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Previously, a Dutch randomized controlled trial evaluating an intervention aimed at changing adolescents' cannabis use, called Moti-4, has shown its efficacy. A secondary analysis of the Moti-4 data investigated the process of change specified by the Stage of Change (SOC) model in cannabis use during the trial. Seventy-one Moti-4 participants and 60 controls were recruited for the study with a pre-test, post-test (T1), and six-month follow-up (T2). All participants showed signs of problematic cannabis use. No contribution of the Moti-4 intervention to a change in SOC between T1 and T2 was found. Although motivation for treatment and motivation for change can be conceived as independent predictors of treatment outcome, the SOC a person is in does not mediate the effect of the intervention on change in cannabis use. However, a reduction in cannabis use was associated with a positive change in "action willingness, " in line with the SOC model. In contrast to model expectations, a higher score on "contemplation" is associated with a higher cannabis consumption. Results highlight both the limitations and usefulness of the SOC model. Future interventions may focus more on the stage of "action willingness, " as well as on perceived social norms.