Menstrual discomfort as a biological setting event for severe problem behavior: assessment and intervention.
Assessment and intervention approaches for problem behavior need to be extended to deal with biological setting events. To meet assessment needs, we developed a strategy involving four components: interview, archival record review, direct observation, and functional analysis. Data indicated that problem behaviors (aggression, self-injury, and tantrums) were linked to both a biological setting event (menstrual discomfort) and certain discriminative stimuli (task demands). To meet intervention needs, we developed a multicomponent strategy that addressed both the biological context (menstrual discomfort) and the psychosocial context (task demands). Intervention reduced problem behaviors to near-zero levels, maintained for 15 to 22 months across 3 participants. We discuss the extension of our approach to other biological setting events as well as multiple motivational variables.
Carr
Edward G
EG
Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook and Developmental Disabilities Institute, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA. Edward.Carr@sunysb.edu
Smith
Christopher E
CE
Giacin
Theresa A
TA
Whelan
Bernadette M
BM
Pancari
Joseph
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008598:Menstruation / Q000523:psychology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index