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Staff reactions to challenging behaviour: an observation study.
Greet Lambrechts1, Wim Van Den Noortgate, Lieve Eeman
1Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vesaliusstraat 2, P.O. Box 3765, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. greet.lambrechts@ped.kuleuven.be
Research in Developmental Disabilities
|December 29, 2009
Summary
Staff reactions significantly influence challenging behaviors in clients with intellectual disabilities. This study observed that staff frequently use verbal interventions and attention, but the effectiveness of these reactions requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Intellectual Disabilities Research
Background:
- Challenging behaviors in individuals with intellectual disabilities can be influenced by staff reactions.
- Limited research exists on staff reactions in naturalistic settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the sequential associations between challenging behaviors and staff reactions.
- To analyze staff responses to self-injurious, stereotyped, and aggressive/destructive behaviors in clients with severe to profound intellectual disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive analysis of video recordings.
- Observation of 10 staff members' reactions to clients' challenging behaviors.
- Focus on challenging behaviors including self-injurious, stereotyped, and aggressive/destructive behaviors.
Main Results:
- Staff predominantly used verbal behaviors and immediate interventions to stop challenging behaviors.
- Attention was frequently given to challenging behaviors, while material or task manipulation was less common.
- Reactions to aggressive/destructive and self-injurious behaviors were similar; stereotyped behaviors elicited fewer significant reactions.
Conclusions:
- Staff reactions are a significant factor in managing challenging behaviors.
- Further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of observed staff reactions.
- Findings contribute to understanding staff responses in clinical and research settings.
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