Who would benefit most from Motivational Interviewing (MI)?

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly beneficial for individuals who are in the contemplation stage of change, as it is designed to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about behavior changes. In this context, the man in the contemplation stage for drinking water is reflecting on his current behavior and considering the advantages of increasing his water intake. MI utilizes a person-centered approach that empowers individuals by helping them articulate their motivations for change, recognize the discrepancies between their current behaviors and desired goals, and develop a plan to transition from contemplation to action.

By engaging in a collaborative conversation, a trained MI practitioner can guide this individual to explore the benefits and barriers to drinking more water, enhancing his intrinsic motivation to make this positive dietary change. This is the key reason MI is particularly effective for someone in the contemplation stage, as it addresses their ambivalence and supports their readiness to take actionable steps toward improved hydration.

In contrast, the other choices involve individuals who may either have already made progress in their behaviors (like the athlete in maintenance) or lack the ambivalence that MI aims to address (such as the child against sugary drinks or the woman with a strong commitment to dieting). These scenarios might not benefit as significantly from MI since their motivation or commitment is either established or