The effectiveness of family motivational interviewing in improving families’ ability to motivate people with severe mental illness in Indonesia

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of family motivational interviewing in improving families’ ability to motivate people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Indonesia.
METHODS: This study employed a quasi-experimental pre-posttest design with a control group. Sampling was con-ducted using proportionate stratified random sampling of families with members diagnosed with severe mental illness, as recorded in the mental health report at the Babakan Sari Public Health Center during the January–December 2022 period (n=62). The intervention group received family motivational interviewing for four weeks. Family ability was measured using the Family Motivational Interview (FMI) instrument. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests.
RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups after the motivational interviewing intervention in terms of the family’s ability to motivate individuals with SMI (p-value < 0.01). These results indicate that family motivational interviewing effectively improves families’ ability to encourage medication adherence and regular performance of activities of daily living among people with severe mental illness.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Family motivational interviewing is effective in enhancing families’ ability to motivate individuals with SMI. It is hoped that this approach can serve as a supportive medium to boost motivation among people with SMI. Community nurses are encouraged to continuously provide information and motivation to families accessing primary health care services. Further research is recommended to evaluate the long-term effects of family motivational interviewing on health outcomes in individuals with severe mental illness.