Generalization of behaviour therapy with psychotics.
Generalization of improvement in the behavioural treatment of psychotic patients must be planned in after-care settings, and for durability over time. The transfer of clinical gains is not an automatic by-product of treatment with severely and chronically impaired mental patients. Treatment strategies that facilitate generalization from hospital to community are illustrated in a case study using empirical data. Systematic and specific treatment programmes were co-ordinated between a state hospital ward and a community-based day hospital. Setting step-wise and limited goals is a feature of successful outcomes. Maintaining consistency in reinforcement contingencies from hospital to community settings, using natural reinforcers, pinpointing functional behaviours as therapeutic goals, over-learning, and training natural caregivers are methods that promote generalization.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005794:Generalization, Response; D005795:Generalization, Stimulus; D006040:Goals; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010056:Overlearning; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D014040:Token Economy; D014705:Verbal Behavior