The authors describe a research study in which they investigated the effectiveness of motivational interviewing intervention as a targeted prevention approach for intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, in emerging adulthood; they discuss their methodology, outcomes, and implications for treatment practices.
Motivational interviewing is a brief, non-confrontational intervention designed to enhance motivation to reduce harmful behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing as a targeted prevention approach for partner aggression in emerging adulthood. Participants were 50 college dating couples between 18 and 25 years old who reported at least one act of male-to-female physical aggression in their current relationships. After completing a two-hour assessment session, half of all couples were randomly assigned to a two-hour individualized motivational feedback session targeting physical aggression and risk factors for aggression. The remaining couples received minimal, non-motivational feedback. Follow-up surveys were conducted three, six, and nine months later. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated that, compared to the control condition, the motivational feedback intervention led to reductions in physical aggression and harmful alcohol use and to less acceptance of female psychological aggression and male psychological aggression. Lagged analyses indicated that changes in physical aggression were predicted by reductions in psychological aggression and by lower acceptance of both male and female psychological aggression. Reductions in physical aggression predicted lower anxiety and greater relationship investment and male relationship commitment over time. These findings suggest that a brief motivational intervention is a useful prevention approach for high-risk dating couples, with benefits to both individual and relationship functioning. Publisher Abstract Provided