title: Commitment strength in motivational interviewing and movement in exercise stage of change in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Motivational interviewing (MI) increasingly is used in behavior change counseling. We explored whether commitment verbalized in an initial MI session predicted subsequent physical activity behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a 12-week walking program targeted at rural women, an initial MI session was held that was audio-recorded. We measured commitment strength during this MI session, stage of change (SOC) pre- and postintervention, and minutes of physical activity performed during the 12-week intervention for the 20 women in the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Commitment strength was significantly correlated with SOC, and SOC was significantly correlated with physical activity behavior. However, commitment strength did not predict physical activity. Further research is needed to determine if commitment strength predicts subsequent physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the role of the strength of a commitment statement made during an initial MI session could assist the APN in directing follow-up MI sessions. This information could be useful in improving the cost effectiveness and efficiency of conducting MI.
authors: Department of Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 90103, USA. perryc@u.washington.edu
authors: Cynthia K
authors: CK
authors: Perry
authors: Susan W
authors: SW
authors: Butterworth
mesh_terms: D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement; D012424:Rural Population; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*