title: Descriptive analyses of caregiver reprimands.
abstract: We conducted descriptive observations of 5 individuals with developmental disabilities and severe problem behavior while they interacted with their caregivers in either simulated environments (an inpatient hospital facility) or in their homes. The focus of the study was on caregiver reprimands and child problem behavior. Thus, we compared the frequency of problem behavior that immediately preceded a caregiver reprimand to that immediately following a caregiver reprimand, and the results showed that the frequency of problem behavior decreased following a reprimand. It is possible that caregiver reprimands are negatively reinforced by the momentary attenuation of problem behavior, and the implications for long- and short-term effects on caregiver behavior are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Sloman
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Cotnoir
authors.forename: Carrie S W
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Borrero
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Borrero
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Samaha
authors.forename: Claire C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: St Peter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations