Measuring motivation to change in community mental health: A Program Evaluation

A program evaluation of a community outpatient mental health program was conducted as part of a required course in Spalding University's School of Professional Psychology. Specifically, the program evaluation examined how the client-specific factors of motivation to change were related to attendance and participation in services. Motivation to change was assessed by surveying program participants utilizing the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA). Students hypothesized stage of change would be significantly correlated with attendance rates. Results indicate stage of change was related to attendance, with pre-contemplation scores negatively associated with attendance although most of the specific analyses were not statistically significant. Students' experiences and feedback regarding conducting the program evaluation are discussed.