Factors related to advanced stages of change in a clinical sample of adolescents

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors predicting a greater motivation to change in a clinical sample of adolescents. Method: A total of 107 adolescents participated in this research prior to beginning outpatient treatment. Participants completed a modified version of the Motivational Stages of Change for Adolescents Recovering from an ED, the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-Self-Report. Results: More advanced stages of change were associated with better parent-adolescent relationships and better emotional regulation. Conclusion: Incorporating parents in treatment to enhance parent-adolescent relationships and instructing parents in emotional regulation techniques to assist the adolescent may enhance their motivation to recover. Key Practitioner Message:• behavioural change in psychotherapy is a gradual process comprising various phases of cognitive and behavioural modifications as opposed to a black or white decision to change • the transtheoretical model of change has come to demonstrate that a variety of factors can assist in moving a person's motivation to change to the point where they are willing to take action • greater motivation to change is related to better parent-child relationships and more adaptive emotional regulation • instructing parents in emotional regulation techniques to assist the adolescent and to enhance parent-adolescent relationships may enhance their motivation to recover