An applied behaviour analytic approach to challenging behaviours shown by survivors of traumatic brain injury

Challenging behaviours are often shown by survivors of traumatic brain injury, especially those with severe injuries. Challenging behaviours are a significant obstacle in the achievement of a successful rehabilitative outcome. A meta-analysis was conducted and it was found that interventions based on operant conditioning techniques were effective in treating challenging behaviours. However, the treatment outcome of learning based interventions can be enhanced by predetermining the function served by the challenging behaviour. Various functional assessment methods can be used, which were analysed in this study. A detailed descriptive analysis was conducted with nine participants. The findings showed that challenging behaviours were precipitated and maintained by social contingencies. Further analyses revealed that functionally equivalent challenging behaviours were structured either hierarchically or sequentially. Identification of precursor behaviours can facilitate the rehabilitation process. A structured descriptive assessment was used for the first time with the traumatic brain injury population. This new functional assessment method proved to have great clinically utility.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

d_ph

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

d_ph

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Birmingham

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Rahman, Barzan

• BF Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/302/2/Decl_IS_Rahman09PhD.jpg

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etheses.bham.ac.uk:302