This document discusses using motivational interviewing and facial recognition software to help promote healthy behavior changes among older Hispanic males. Motivational interviewing shows promise as a behavioral change approach that is not seen as authoritative. A study is proposed to analyze if motivational interviewing combined with a hope assessment survey can increase adherence to health prescriptions and reduce risks of diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Facial recognition software will help determine emotions not recognized during interviews to help practitioners develop effective intervention plans.

1. Arizona State University
Exercise and Wellness Program/The Motivational Interviewing Laboratories

2. Health Issues.
The prevalence of metabolic and chronic diseases such as
Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in
minorities are high. Adherence to recommended
medical/health prescriptions are especially poor among the
Hispanic/Latino population.
Behavioral health models/strategies have been used to help
reduce the risk of metabolic and chronic diseases. Research
has shown the usefulness of employing behavioral health
change models/strategies in helping provide avenues to
implement and make positive lifestyle changes.
Behavioral Models.
Trying to resolve all health behavior changes with just one
behavioral model/strategy is an act of futility. There are too
many variables that have an outcome on the success of making
a healthy lifestyle change.
This is apparent when dealing with the Latino/Hispanic
population as factors such as cultural and linguistic barriers,
poverty, and cultural values that are not respected or
overlooked by health care professionals are involved. Cultural
differences that are not recognized by the health professional
can increase the ambivalence of the Latino/Hispanic
community and influence their willingness to initiate a healthy
behavioral change.
Among the different types of behavioral models/strategies a
health professional may use when trying to implement a
positive behavioral change, the health professional may
incorporate a “little bit of this with a little bit of that” way of
thinking. For example when using an expert-didactic model,
an expert will diagnosis and prescribe a solution, often telling
his/her client what the problem is and how to resolve it. It is
useful in the acute medical field, but would have drawbacks
when trying to elicit a personal change particularly in the
Latino/Hispanic culture.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a behavioral change
approach that shows promise in promoting change in behavior
that is not seen as authoritative, intrusive or confrontational in
practice. The heart of MI involves eliciting the client’s own
desire for behavioral change as a motivating factor. Thus the
development of trust, respect, hope and the client’s
involvement in change are paramount. MI would promote a
healthier behavior change adherence within the culture.
Application.
The purpose of this application is to analyze the effectiveness
of using MI as an intervention in behavioral change therapy, in
conjunction with a hope assessment survey with older
Hispanic/Latino males. This study will analyze if there is an
increased adherence to health medication/prescription with the
intervention of MI. Utilizing a hope assessment survey during
a pre- and post-interview will help determine if there is a
correlation of this specific population using MI, to help reduce
health risks associated with this group, such as obesity, T2D,
and CVD. The ability of the Hope Assessment is to determine
potential for individuals to either follow medical interventions
or seek medical advice. It is really the tool that measures the
inner motivation to initiate and maintain medical change
behaviors.
The utilization of facial recognition software is used to help
determine emotions that may not be recognized or detected by
the health practitioner and their client when conducting an
interview. This is beneficial as it will provide crucial insight to
the health practitioner with the development and
implementation of a positive healthy behavioral lifestyle
change with their client. This will help heighten those skills
necessary in academia in understanding the nuances of the
behavioral methods used with the technology available in
reducing those health risks that are so prevalent today.

3. Interviewee.
What emotions are assumed to be obtained by the posture that is
being exhibited? Maybe anger, frustration, fear, or a combination of
all.
Even during a tough interview session we can capture some aspects
that the interviewee is trying to hide with her/his emotions.
Interviewer.
In trying to determine what can be useful to help his client with an
intervention plan, the interviewer shows signs of frustration as the
interviewee is stonewalling their questions.
Analysis of the face with the corresponding graph of emotions starting on the bottom left. From this data,
the practitioner can formulate a more appropriate plan of action to help secure the client’s adherence to
the interventions.
Conducting an interview utilizing facial
recognition software to help determine
emotions that may not be recognized or
detected by the interviewee and interviewer.
Analysis of Interviewee.

4. Performing an analysis of the interviewer/practitioner can also detect subtle changes that can illicit a
response to the client’s acceptance and adherence to the intervention plan. Obviously a positive result of
emotions will help with the implementation of the behavioral change strategy and a negative result will
also show the practitioner emotions that he may need to be made aware of to achieve a more positive
outcome with their client.
Bio.
My name is Frank Medina and I am a currently a Master of
Science candidate in the Exercise and Wellness program at
the Arizona State University Motivational Interviewing
Laboratories.
I come from a large Hispanic family and the untimely death
of a relative was a motivating factor in pursuing my
education in the Exercise and Wellness field.
As a Health Professional, I understand the significance of
living a healthy lifestyle. The importance of prescribing and
coaching appropriate exercise programs, providing
appropriate nutritional advice, and promoting a more
physical active life will improve the quality of life. This is a
philosophy that I strongly believe will help reduce the ill
effects of those diseases that are prevalent among
minorities.
The key is the implementation and adherence to behavioral
change so the individual can benefit from a healthier
lifestyle change.
Analysis of Interviewer.