This study introduces a new coding system, the Coding and Assessment System for Narratives of Trauma (CASNOT), to analyse several language domains in narratives of autobiographical memories, especially in trauma narratives. The development of the coding system is described. It was applied to assess positive and traumatic/negative narratives in 50 battered women (trauma-exposed group) and 50 nontrauma-exposed women (control group). Three blind raters coded each narrative. Inter-rater reliability analyses were conducted for the CASNOT language categories (multirater Kfree coefficients) and dimensions (intraclass correlation coefficients). High levels of inter-rater agreement were found for most of the language domains. Categories that did not reach the expected reliability were mainly those related to cognitive processes, which reflects difficulties in operationalizing constructs such as lack of control or helplessness, control or planning, and rationalization or memory elaboration. Applications and limitations of the CASNOT are discussed to enhance narrative measures for autobiographical memories.

The Motivational Interviewing Skill Code (MISC) is a coding system developed to measure adherence to motivational interviewing (MI). MI is an effective clinical style used in different treatment situations. Counsellors practising MI have to follow general principles and avoid certain traps. In the present study, the content of the MISC is compared with the general principles of MI and the traps to avoid in MI. Investigation of the content validity raises some questions. All general principles are represented but the traps to avoid in MI are not fully covered. The consequences of this under-representation are shown in transcripts of a selection of well-conducted MI training sessions. The reliability of the MISC was investigated by having five independent coders code 39 MI training sessions of different counsellors. The reliability of the MISC is reasonable. The five coders agreed to a large extent on the absolute ratings but the intraclass correlations were low. Although the MISC can be a useful research tool for process research of MI, it remains a labour-intensive instrument and for teaching and practice audit development of a more simple coding system is recommended.