Identifying the variables maintaining self-injurious behavior

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a significant challenge for individuals with autism and developmental disorders.
• Identifying the maintaining variables of SIB is crucial for effective intervention.
• Existing functional analyses can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report reliability and validity data for the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS).
• To establish the MAS as a tool for identifying situational determinants of SIB.
• To offer an alternative or adjunct to formal functional analyses.

Main Methods:

• The study involved a reliability assessment with 50 teachers of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• A validity study was conducted with 8 subjects, assessing MAS ratings against behavior in analogue situations.
• The MAS is a 16-item questionnaire assessing situational factors of SIB.

Main Results:

• High interrater and test-retest reliability were found for the MAS.
• MAS ratings accurately predicted SIB in specific analogue situations (e.g., low attention, high demands, restricted access, unstructured settings).
• The MAS demonstrated predictive validity for understanding SIB triggers.

Conclusions:

• The Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying variables maintaining self-injurious behavior.
• The MAS can aid clinicians and educators in understanding the function of SIB in individuals with developmental disorders.
• The MAS provides a practical tool for guiding behavioral interventions.