The role of behavior observation in measurement systems for randomized prevention trials.
The role of behavior observation in theory-driven prevention intervention trials is examined. A model is presented to guide choice of strategies for the measurement of five core elements in theoretically informed, randomized prevention trials: (1) training intervention agents, (2) delivery of key intervention conditions by intervention agents, (3) responses of clients to intervention conditions, (4) short-term risk reduction in targeted client behaviors, and (5) long-term change in client adjustment. It is argued that the social processes typically thought to mediate interventionist training (Element 1) and the efficacy of psychosocial interventions (Elements 2 and 3) may be powerfully captured by behavior observation. It is also argued that behavior observation has advantages in the measurement of short-term change (Element 4) engendered by intervention, including sensitivity to behavior change and blinding to intervention status.
Snyder
James
J
Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, Box 34, Wichita, Kansas 67260-0034, USA. james.snyder@wichita.edu
Reid
John
J
Stoolmiller
Mike
M
Howe
George
G
Brown
Hendricks
H
Dagne
Getachew
G
Cross
Wendi
W
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019370:Observation; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior