Graduation Year

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Granting Department

Applied Behavior Analysis

Major Professor

Kimberly Crosland, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Timothy Weil, Ph.D.

Committee Member

David Geller, M.S.

Keywords

Tools for positive behavior change, Behavior analysis services program, Coercion, Generalization, Maintenance

Abstract

The ability of direct care staff members to carry out behavior programs, specific protocols written by a behavior analyst, or recommendations made after completion of a functional behavioral assessment is an essential tool needed for such documents to actually be meaningful to patients. Since direct care staff members spend the most time directly working with patients, it is imperative that they carry out intervention procedures with reliability and fidelity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of staff training procedures as well as organizational behavior management techniques used to ensure that staff members are equipped with the tools they need and are properly motivated to carry out the proposed intervention procedures. Staff members received training on the Tools for Positive Behavior Change curriculum developed by the Behavior Analysis Services Program at the University of South Florida using a myriad of training techniques. Then, organizational behavior management techniques were implemented in order to maintain tool implementation and positive interactions with patients over time. Effectiveness of these procedures was measured using a concurrent multiple baseline across participant research design. Results showed that participants did not increase, or only slightly increased, tool use and positive interactions after being trained. However, tool use and positive interactions showed a more substantial increase for most participants after the implementation of organizational behavior management procedures.

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