A biobehavioral approach toward managing encopresis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a biobehavioral treatment approach for two encopretic children. Both subjects were evaluated and treated by a pediatric gastroenterologist, with behavioral interventions occurring subsequent to, and in conjunction with, the medical intervention. Results showed that the biobehavioral approach resulted in significant improvements for both subjects, and that the use of response cost may be a necessary intervention component for some children. A model is also presented to clarify the relationship between organic and nonorganic factors and their relationship to encopresis.