Cultural Validation of the Short Motivational Programme for the Portuguese Forensic Context

• In Event: Crime Prevention Panel 2

Abstract

Motivation for change is fundamental, and Motivational Interviewing (MI) has proven to be an innovative and effective approach when working with forensic populations, helping clients explore and resolve their ambivalence towards change. The Short Motivational Programme (SMP) is a 5-sessions program constructed from the theoretical basis and principles of MI that also incorporates cognitive-behavioral tasks. The aim of the SMP is to stimulate people to the "action" stage of change, increasing their motivation so that they seek social and community resources to solve their rehabilitative needs. Given the importance of incorporating MI in interventions with justice-involved people and the scarcity of studies in this area in the Portuguese context, the current study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the SMP within a sample of Portuguese people sentenced to either custodial or non-custodial measures, and to analyze its suitability and acceptability. The sample consisted of 25 men and women from both prison and community settings, aged between 26 and 65 years old (M = 43.2; SD = 9.8). The most prevalent crimes were drug trafficking, followed by sexual offences and fraud. More than 60% of the participants were first timers in the prison system.
Individual interviews were conducted to obtain feedback from participants about the SMP and their perceptions of it. Feedback was positive, with some participants stating that the SMP was an opportunity for self-discovery and reflection on topics they had never thought about before, and that they felt more motivated and confident afterwards. No changes were suggested to the content of the program or the activities included. Some participants expressed a desire for the program to be longer so that they could continue to explore and share specific life events, thoughts, and beliefs.
Ongoing research is being conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the SMP in promoting motivation for change among justice-involved people.

Authors

• Teresa Pinto e Silva, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho

• Sõnia Maria Martins Caridade, Escola de Psicologia da Universidade do Minho

• Olga Cunha, University of Minho