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Behavior-analytic research on dementia in older adults
Maranda A Trahan1, SungWoo Kahng, Alyssa B Fisher
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|September 24, 2011
Summary
Dementia affects 1 in 10 older adults, yet behavior-analytic research remains scarce. This review examines gerontology research trends in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) to identify progress and gaps in understanding behavioral aspects of aging.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral gerontology
- Applied behavior analysis
- Geriatric psychology
Background:
- Dementia impacts approximately 10% of adults aged 65 and older, presenting significant behavioral challenges.
- A special section in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) in 1986 aimed to stimulate research in behavioral gerontology.
- Despite this initiative, a notable lack of behavior-analytic studies focusing on the aging population persists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the volume and focus of behavior-analytic research on aging published before and after JABA's 1986 special section.
- To critically evaluate the most recent aging-related articles published in JABA.
- To identify trends and persistent gaps in the field of behavioral gerontology within applied behavior analysis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and comparative analysis of research articles.
- Examination of publication trends in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA).
- Categorization and evaluation of studies based on publication date relative to the 1986 special section.
Main Results:
- The review indicates a continued paucity of behavior-analytic research concerning older adults and dementia.
- Analysis of recent JABA publications reveals limited focus on aging-related behavioral issues.
- A significant gap exists between the prevalence of dementia and the behavior-analytic research addressing it.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for increased behavior-analytic research in gerontology, particularly focusing on dementia and associated behavioral excesses and deficits.
- Further investigation into applied behavior analysis for older adults is essential to address the growing needs of this demographic.
- Future research should aim to bridge the gap between the prevalence of age-related cognitive decline and behavioral interventions.
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