Vicki A. Lumley

Evaluating the function of hair pulling: A preliminary investigation

Although little is known about the operant function of hair pulling associated with trichotillomania, attempts to further our knowledge in this area have not employed experimental methods. In the present study we assessed the hair pulling behavior of two individuals using a functional analysis methodology. The results showed that hair pulling was most probable in the alone condition. Based on the functional analysis results and information from behavioral interviews, we hypothesized that hair pulling was maintained by self-stimulation in these two subjects. We discuss limitations of the current investigation and the need for future research.

A national survey of assessment and therapy techniques used by behavior therapists

The present mail survey investigated behavior therapy as it is currently practiced by members of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (AABT). Information regarding professional attitudes, assessment techniques used, problems treated, and treatment procedures utilized was obtained. The questionnaire was mailed to 964 full members of the AABT, and 334 members responded for a 34.6% rate of return. The respondents were divided into two categories based on their primary professional activities (practitioner or academic), and comparisons between these groups were made. The results were also compared to the findings of previous surveys of AABT members ( Swan & MacDonald, 1978 ; Wade, Baker, & Hartman, 1979 ). The survey results suggested a movement in recent years toward a cognitive behavioral orientation, and identified striking similarities and some differences between practitioners and academics.

Evaluating the influence of problem function on treatment acceptability

Direct care staff from community agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities rated the acceptability of two treatments, time out and guided compliance, applied to a problem behavior maintained by attention or escape. The results showed that time out was significantly more acceptable than guided compliance regardless of problem function. The results indicate that the less restrictive treatment was rated as more acceptable. However, the functional treatment was not rated as more acceptable than the nonfunctional treatment. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

TREATMENT ACCEPTABILITY AND “FAKING GOOD”: ARE STAFF TELLING US WHAT THEY THINK WE WANT TO HEAR?

Treatment acceptability refers to how acceptable various treatment alternatives are to individuals who are subjected to and who implement those treatments. While treatment-acceptability research increases in popularity, some have questioned its usefulness. In particular, Schwartz and Baer (1991) question whether staff might be telling us what we want to hear, analogous to the phenomenon of test-takers “faking good” while taking personality tests. In this study, we sought to investigate the possibility of such bias in treatment-acceptability ratings. Direct-care staff at a large residential facility were presented with a clinical vignette and five treatment options to rate. They also received three different types of instructions (standard, “fake good,” and “prompted honesty”) designed to determine whether biases in ratings would appear. Results indicate that, under these conditions, staff do not fake good, i.e., there were no differences across instructional conditions. Collapsing across conditions, staff did differ in their ratings on the five treatment alternatives. Reasons for current results and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Validation of the Perkins Adolescent Risk Screen (PARS)

PURPOSE To examine the initial psychometric properties for the PARS, a brief interview used to screen for 16 items of adolescent risk and protective factors. METHODS Participants included 193 adolescents, attending public middle and high schools or a university-based Adolescent Clinic. Participants completed a PARS interview, as well as a battery of questionnaires. Approximately 31% of participants received a second PARS interview from an independent rater to assess inter-rater consistency. RESULTS Descriptive statistics revealed that participants, on average, were rated as low to moderate risk for health-related difficulties across all PARS items. Descriptive statistics also showed important risk patterns in this sample of adolescents (e.g., 1/5 of sample not exercising at all). Factor analysis yielded a total of five factors (Risk Factors, Protection Factors, Relationships/Mood, Motivation Issues, Weight Issues), accounting for 58% of the variance in PARS item scores. Satisfactory levels of internal consistency and inter-rater agreement for the PARS score were found. Convergent and divergent validity of PARS scores were supported by correlations obtained with similar and dissimilar measures, respectively. A significant age group difference was obtained in the total PARS score, with adolescents aged 17-19 years obtaining higher scores than did adolescents aged 14-16 years. No significant gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the initial psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, validity) of the PARS as a measure of health risk and protective factors in adolescents. The PARS is a brief, efficient means of obtaining important health risk information from adolescents throughout periodic routine health care visits.

A simplified habit reversal treatment for pica-related chewing

In this study the frequency of chewing behavior in a 6-year-old male diagnosed with pica was reduced using a simplified habit reversal procedure. Data were collected on the frequency of chewing behavior, treatment acceptability, parent satisfaction, and social validity of the behavior change. This study represents the first known application of the habit reversal procedure to treat pica-related chewing in a normally intelligent child.