A Meta-Analysis of Motivational Interviewing Interventions for Pediatric Health Behavior Change

Abstract

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an empirically supported intervention that has shown effectiveness in moving people towards positive lifestyle choices. Although originally designed for adult substance users, MI has since expanded to other health concerns with a range of clients age groups. The following meta-analysis analyzed MI's effectiveness in eliciting behavior change in pediatric health domains. Thirty-seven empirical studies were included in this meta-analysis, encompassing eight health domains. The overall effect size (Hedge's g) in this population as compared to both other active treatments and no treatment was 0.282 (95% CI [0.242-0.323]), slightly higher than a "small" effect size, and also slightly higher than what has been typically found in the substance literature. The effectiveness of MI in pediatric domains was moderated by factors such as practitioner background, health domain, and the family member who participated. Effect sizes varied by health condition such that the health domains with the largest overall effect sizes were Type 1 Diabetes, asthma, and calcium intake. MI seems to be most effective when both parent and child participate in sessions and when the cultural background of the practitioner matches the family. Unexpectedly, number of MI sessions and follow-up length were not significant moderators. Overall, these findings indicate that MI is an effective and appropriate intervention for targeting child health behavior changes.