Motivational interviewing may facilitate professional interactions with inspectees during environmental inspections and enforcement conversations

Abstract

In the present work inspectors used Motivational Interviewing (MI) to promote environmentally sustainable behaviour in inspectees. MI is a counselling method with scientific support for various health behaviour changes. Inspectors (n = 32) in four Swedish municipalities received training in MI over a yearlong period. Their MI competency as well as their experience of using MI in routine inspections was monitored over the year. The results showed that inspectors significantly increased their competence in the Empathy variable, defined as accurate listening to inspectees. Inspectors judged MI to be useful in inspections, approximately 5 on the 6-point scale. There were indications that MI may be easier or more appropriate to use in certain inspections than in others.

Using Motivational Interviewing to reduce threats in conversations about environmental behavior

“…However, several gaps in the literature remain. First, whereas the assessment of empathy by means of independent observers aligns with most previous research in the context of MI applications (e.g., Catley et al, 2006 ; Tollison et al, 2008 ; Forsberg et al, 2014 ), this approach tends to neglect the actual perspective of the change recipients. In other words, change recipients should be best suited to evaluate whether their interactional partner has confronted them or demonstrated empathic understanding.…”

“…For example, Klonek and Kauffeld (2015) suggest that human resources departments could provide MI training for energy managers in order to reduce organizational energy consumption. In support of this argument, Forsberg et al (2014) showed that MI training increased the conversational skills of Swedish environmental inspectors. Furthermore, the authors showed that MI training positively affected inspectors’ empathy (rated by external observers).…”

“…Motivational Interviewing as a communication method has been applied in numerous behavior change settings, such as reducing risk behavior (e.g., Colby et al, 1998 ; McCambridge and Strang, 2004 ), treating psychological problems ( Burke, 2011 ), or promoting healthy behavior (cf., Lundahl et al, 2010 ; Perry and Butterworth, 2011 ). Whereas MI was traditionally taught to practitioners in the helping professions, it is also highly suitable for the context of environmental behavior ( Tribble, 2008 ; Forsberg et al, 2014 ; Klonek and Kauffeld, 2015 ). For example, Klonek and Kauffeld (2015) suggest that human resources departments could provide MI training for energy managers in order to reduce organizational energy consumption.…”

Talking with consumers about energy reductions: recommendations from a motivational interviewing perspective

“…Traditionally, MI is taught within the helping professions, for example, among therapists, counselors, physicians, or nurses (Madson et al, 2009 ; Forsberg et al, 2010 ; de Roten et al, 2013 ). More recent studies have provided evidence that MI is also teachable to non-helping professions, e.g., for engineers (Klonek and Kauffeld, in press ) or for environmental inspectors (Forsberg et al, 2014 ). Whereas MI has not been used in organizations in order to reduce energy-related behavior at work, it has great promise of equipping energy managers successfully with the right mindset and verbal skills in order to discuss these matters.…”

Understanding the Human Factor of the Energy Transition: Mechanisms Underlying Energy-Relevant Decisions and Behaviors

“…More recent studies have provided evidence that MI is also teachable to non-helping professions, e.g., for engineers (Klonek and Kauffeld, in press) or for environmental inspectors (Forsberg et al, 2014). Whereas MI has not been used in organizations in order to reduce energy-related behavior at work, it has great promise of equipping energy managers successfully with the right mindset and verbal skills in order to discuss these matters.…”