A systematic review identified 13 published studies and six dissertation abstracts evaluating Motivational Interviewing in relation to the intervention with substance-using offenders, domestic violence perpetrators, drunk drivers, and general offenders [2]. Motivational Interviewing has helped to increase retention and commitment to treatment, and has contributed to an improved motivation to change. However, changes in motivation do not always lead to changes in behavior. The evidence is mixed regarding the impact on the commission of new crimes (with positive effects on general crime, mixed results on drunk driving, and no effect on domestic violence).
The Crime Reduction Toolkit platform considered Motivational Interviewing with domestic violence perpetrators based on a systematic review of seven studies, using victim-reported measures and official recidivism measures. Overall, the evidence suggests that Motivational Interviewing reduces recidivism rates. The intervention encouraged domestic violence offenders to change their behavior. However, the review is only based on a small number of studies, and more research is needed to understand the conditions under which the intervention works best [3]. Programs with a more empathic than confrontational approach appear to be more effective [3] [4].