Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing Matrix on Reducing Anger and Increasing Self-Efficacy in Male High School Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Motivational Interviewing Matrix on reducing anger and increasing self-efficacy in male high school students. Method: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test-post-test control group design. The study sample consisted of 8 male 10th and 11th grade students, selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (n=4) and control (n=4). Participants were assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) and the Morris Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (2001). The experimental group received 8 counseling sessions based on the Motivational Interviewing Matrix model, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-test, and independent samples t-test. Results: The results indicated that the Motivational Interviewing Matrix significantly reduced anger and increased self-efficacy in the experimental group. The mean anger score in the experimental group decreased from 32.25 to 23.75, while no significant change was observed in the control group (31.50 in the pre-test to 30.75 in the post-test). Additionally, the mean self-efficacy score in the experimental group increased from 14.50 to 21.00, while the control group showed a slight change (14.25 in the pre-test to 14.75 in the post-test). The paired samples t-test revealed that these changes were significant in the experimental group (t anger = 6.28, P = 0.002; t self-efficacy = 7.11, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the independent samples t-test showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (t anger = 3.96, p = 0.004; t self-efficacy = 4.55, p = 0.002). The effect size also indicated a strong and sustained impact of the intervention on the study variables (d anger = 2.10, d self-efficacy = 2.40). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the Motivational Interviewing Matrix can be used as an effective tool in improving emotional regulation and enhancing self-efficacy in students. It is recommended that this model be implemented in school counseling and emotional management training programs.