Therapist adherence to a motivational-interviewing intervention improves treatment entry for substance-misusing adolescents with low problem perception.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated whether adherence to the Strengths-Oriented Referral for Teens (SORT) model, a motivational interviewing (MI)-consistent intervention addressing ambivalence about attending treatment, positively predicted adolescents' initial-session attendance.


METHODS
Therapist adherence was rated in 54 audiotaped SORT sessions by coders who were blind to treatment-entry status. Higher adherence scores reflected greater use of MI and solution focused language, discussion of client strengths, and dialogue with families on treatment need and options.


RESULTS
Therapist adherence during adolescent segments interacted with adolescent problem perception. Predicted probabilities of attending initial sessions increased for low-problem-perception adolescents at increasingly higher therapist adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Although replication studies are needed, the SORT model of providing MI-consistent debriefing following initial assessments appears to be a promising approach for increasing treatment entry. Initial support for the treatment-matching hypothesis was found for substance-misusing adolescents contemplating treatment entry.
Smith
Douglas C
DC
School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Oregon Street, M/C140, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. smithdc@illinois.edu
Hall
James A
JA
Jang
Mijin
M
Arndt
Stephan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D009629:Person-Centered Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*