The effect of this single session of MI was the core object of study, though it was recognized that further discussions with individual study participants were likely to take place. Follow-up data collection took place 3 months after study recruitment. To ensure a good balanced rate of follow-up, participants in the assessment-only control group were paid £5 on successful collection of the follow-up questionnaire (intervention participants received no remuneration). The follow-up questionnaires were also self-completed, and were administered in the same way as the baseline questionnaires, except that practitioners did not check the completed questionnaires of intervention participants, as it was believed that this might compromise the reliability of reporting. Subsequent to self-completion of the follow-up questionnaires, the participants themselves placed these in sealed envelopes, having been given assurances that college-based practitioners would not have access to individual questionnaire results. Where face-to-face contact with participants was not achieved, follow-up questionnaires were distributed and returned by post [5% of those successfully followed up (n = 7)]. Where students failed to return questionnaires within 2 weeks, questionnaires were administered by telephone by E.G. [a further 5% of those successfully followed up (n = 7)].