Graduation Year
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Child and Family Studies
Major Professor
Heather Zerger, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Raymond Miltenberger, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Bryon Miller, Ph.D.
Keywords
Caregiver-implemented assessment, Functional analysis, Interactive Play, Physical activity
Abstract
Most children do not currently meet the 60 min per day recommendation for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which could lead to problematic health outcomes. Researchers have used behavioral assessments (i.e., functional analysis [FA]) to identify the maintaining variables (e.g., attention, interactive play) that produce elevated levels of MVPA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which a caregiver-implemented FA can identify the function of their child’s MVPA. All three participants engaged in elevated levels of MVPA when adult interaction and attention were delivered contingently. The results of this study showed that caregivers implemented FAs of MVPA with high fidelity and identified the function(s) of the child’s physical activity. The assessment produced socially valid outcomes that could help caregivers individualize their approach to increasing their child’s physical activity.
Scholar Commons Citation
Riccardo, Rachel B., "Caregiver-Implemented Functional Analysis of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity of Children" (2026). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/11400
