ABSTRACT
There are a multitude of reasons for why people make life changes, including social forces and motivational factors (Orford, Hodgson, Copello, Wilton, & Slegg, 2009). There is no one reason, but there are a few consistent themes when people begin to improve some important area of their lives. For young men, here are some of the common reasons they give for making a change:
Involvement of others supporting change: As much as practitioners of motivational interviewing like me want to focus on intrinsic motivation to change, the reason most problem drinkers and those with other problem behaviors give for making a change is that it is important to those who are important to them. Whether it is a parent, a close relative, a girlfriend or boyfriend, or another close friend, the influence of these significant others is profound. Most young men come in the door the first time to a therapy appointment because of someone else’s concern. Anyone who works with young men in therapy will hear time and time again that they are willing to change something because it is important to someone else.
