The effects of training in nonaversive behavior management on the attitudes and understanding of direct care staff.

Recent developments in behavior therapy for persons with developmental disabilities and behavior disorders emphasize positive treatment designs that focus on understanding the causes of behavior, teaching functional alternatives, and enhancing the quality of daily experiences, rather than simple contingency management. There is little information on how well direct care staff can support these nonaversive strategies. This study examined the effects of training in traditional (positive) behavior management versus nonaversive principles on the understanding and attitudes of direct care staff. Overall, nonprofessional level staff receiving the nonaversive training showed increased sophistication in understanding the range of possible causes of behavior and were able to generate treatment suggestions based on skill development and environmental change. The effectiveness of staff in implementing state-of-the-art behavior therapy procedures is likely to be an important component of the continued success of behavior therapy, especially in residential settings, both institutional and community-based.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes