Self-Efficacy and Behavior Change
The word “interview” is actually two words, “inter” and “view”. An interview is a process of looking at and seeing together. It is the most powerful tool you have to promote change. It is through the interviewing process that we become an ally for change. An empathetic interview style facilitates change; the absence of empathy may deter change.
Many of our families do not have a well-developed sense of self-efficacy and find it difficult to believe that they can begin or maintain behavioral change. Improving self-efficacy requires eliciting and supporting hope, optimism, and the feasibility of accomplishing change. This requires we recognize the family’s strengths and bring them to the forefront whenever possible. Unless someone believes change is possible, the perceived discrepancy between the desire for change and feelings of hopelessness about accomplishing change is likely to result in rationalizations or denial in order to reduce discomfort. Self-efficacy is a critical component of behavior change.
Child welfare professionals not only help get the family to the realization that they need and want to change, but it is also to help them design their strategy for change, the case plan. When the family is participating in services, it is the case manager’s responsibility to help them evaluate whether the strategies to achieve change are working or need to be modified. This helps the family understand any of the external factors that must be considered as they weigh their options and choices.
Vicarious experiences mean seeing other people in the child welfare system of care succeed through sustained efforts, and that encourages their success. This is why self-help and peer support groups such as AA, NA, parents anonymous, and other parent support groups can be a powerful resource for families going through change.
Social persuasion means convincing a person that they are capable of success by trying hard and promoting the development of relevant skills. This is why family team meetings and other ways of pulling extended family into the family assessment and case planning process can add value when family persuasion is channeled in a positive, healthy way.
Control of emotive states means that child welfare professionals and other people on the family team know what topics are difficult for them to discuss without losing emotional control. We need to talk with families about the good times, so that when a more difficult topic comes up, changes in affect are evident. That is a reason to spend time exploring general, lighter topics before delving into the complex family problems that brought the family into care. Steering conversations through engagement skills can help parents manage their stress during the discussion of difficult topics.
Mastery through experiences means that the skills people need to achieve change are developed through sustained effort and practice. The skills to maintain sobriety, to manage a mental illness, to care for a medically fragile child, to learn how to parent a child with ADHD are not something to be learned in class. While some learning may begin in a class, it is necessary to practice and apply those skills with coaching from professionals and a support network to continue to develop them.
It is important to match interventions (services and treatment) to the stage of change a person is in because if the interventions are not aligned with the stage of change then it:
May impact the family’s self-efficacy as they may feel less likely to succeed
Might increase resistance
May damage rapport and trust with the child welfare professional
May impede change
Both a person’s awareness and their level of self-efficacy will influence whether or not they can successfully change. When a person realizes they need to change(Awareness) and knows they can make a change (Self-Efficacy) this will lead them to being the most motivated to make that change.
How can the use of engagement skills while interviewing, contribute to an individual’s self-awareness and self-efficacy?
Helps them figure out that they need to change.
Helps them recognize when, and how they have succeeded in solving problems in the past.
Helps them develop a sense of hope or faith that they can overcome current problems.
Help them to identify their real feelings associated with what is happening
Have their feelings affirmed (empathy)
A chance to verbalize the behaviors, conditions and family dynamics that are occurring and the impact on their children without feeling judged