Motivational Interviewing Skills are Positively Associated with Nutritionist Self-efficacy

Abstract 

Objective

To examine the relationships between physical and social self-concepts, motivational interviewing (MI), and nutrition assessment skills with dimensions of counseling self-efficacy.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics.

Participants

Sixty-five WIC nutritionists.

Main Outcome Measures

Counseling self-efficacy on topics related to physical activity and nutritional behaviors and in the presence of language and cultural differences.

Analysis

Multiple linear regression.

Results

Nutritionists' perception of their own MI skills was positively associated with their self-efficacy for counseling clients of a culture different than their own, when counseling about physical activity, and when counseling about nutrition behavior. Hispanic ethnicity and social self-concept were positively associated with counseling self-efficacy when culture differences were present. Physical self-concept was positively associated with self-efficacy related to physical activity topics. Nutrition assessment skill was negatively associated with self-efficacy for working with non-English-speaking clients.

Conclusions and Implications

Development of MI skills and strategies to improve social and physical self-concept may increase WIC nutritionists' counseling self-efficacy, particularly when counseling clients from diverse backgrounds.

Key Words: self-efficacy, counseling, nutritionist, motivational interviewing, WIC