In Motivational Interviewing, decisional balance involves:

• A. Self-Efficacy
• B. Decisional Balance
• C. Express Empathy
• D. Roll With Client Reactance

Answer: (B)

Decisional balance is the process of weighing the advantages and disadvantages of changing a behavior versus staying the same. In Motivational Interviewing, this helps address ambivalence by having the client articulate reasons for change (change talk) and reasons to maintain the status quo (sustain talk). Through nonjudgmental exploration of these pros and cons, the client’s intrinsic motivation to change is strengthened and progress toward a commitment to change is more likely. The other options refer to different MI elements—self-efficacy is about confidence in one’s ability to change, expressing empathy is about reflective listening, and rolling with client reactance is about handling resistance—while decisional balance specifically targets examining the costs and benefits of change versus not changing.