|
CBM Saturday Poster Session |
Saturday, May 23, 2020 |
1:00 PM–3:00 PM |
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Level 2, Hall D |
Chair: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
|
106. Education Toward Using Behavioral Strategies to Improve the Mental Health of Firefighters, First Responders, Hospital Staff, Military and Law Enforcement: You Work Out Your Body, Don't Forget Your Mind |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
KRISTEN JENSEN (Mind Gym Online) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, I know simple additions to our environment can encourage follow through of intended behavior change. The more apparent something is and the easier it is to access the information, the more likely someone is to retain the information. Additionally, I know there are simple and effective behaviors one can implement daily to reduce the effects and injuries caused by stress and trauma. We have the information; we just need to get it to the right professionals. This is where I can assist… As a Fire Wife, I know the importance of providing this information to first responders, law enforcement, military and hospital staff. I also know that while resources are becoming readily available, not all will feel comfortable seeking help or voicing that they are struggling with their mental health. This is why I feel an alternative is needed. An alternative that individuals can implement on their own without asking for help, as asking for the help is often the barrier to receiving help. It is imperative and as they say in the field, we cannot leave anyone behind. I have created simple “Stress Sheets” that will be available to departments, hospitals and agencies so their employees can retain the information and practice on their own, as needed. I am excited to have found a simple way to disseminate the information and help those that spend their lives helping others. To do this, I teach the use of self management strategies to meet an overall goal of identifying and making environmental changes to best support the needs of a first responder, law enforcement or hospital staff. During the initial assessment and interview with the department, hospital team, agency, etc. I will make recommendations regarding behaviors that must be established, maintained, increased or decreased based on the current needs, call volume, requirements of the job, etc. Additionally, I program for maintenance so learned behaviors are maintained. The intervention strategies are based on client preferences, client’s current repertoire, supporting environments and best scientific evidence. Most importantly, Professionals can benefit from the tools outlined without reaching out to anyone else. I feel peer support is the best support and want to teach these strategies in new hire trainings as additional support. |
|
|
107. A Review of Music Research in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis |
Area: CBM; Domain: Theory |
BECCA YURE (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology), Susan D. Flynn (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology), Yors A. Garcia (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology), Amanda Mahoney (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology ) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: While music is integrated into almost all facets of life (e.g., adults soothe infants with song and teach children nursery rhymes as a mechanism to learn simple tasks and facts, jingles help transfer positive emotional effects to businesses and products, and a single melody may evoke powerful memories), there is little behavior analytic research exploring music as a behavior change mechanism or its effects on operant and respondent conditioning or derived responding. This review summarizes 21 studies published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) from 1968 to 2019 in which music is part of the independent or dependent variable. We further classified music within the four-term contingency: motivating operation (MO), antecedent, behavior, and consequence. The number of articles with music in the title, abstract, and/or keywords has increased in the past decade, indicating an acceleration of interest in this area. We suggest that music merits further attention by behavior analysts and that the JABA might appropriate outlet for this line of work. |
|
|
108. Verbal Behavior Sequential Analysis of an Adult’s Psychological Treatment |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
JESÚS ALONSO-VEGA (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Gladis Lee Pereira (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Isabel Avila-Herrero (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Ricardo de Pascual Verdu (European University of Madrid), María Xesús Froxán-Parga (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: It’s widely known that humans can learn through verbal behavior. Since the first Skinner’s conceptualization of verbal behavior, great number of studies had been conducted to analyze it in experimental settings. However, efforts still need to be made to fully understand how verbal behavior works in natural settings. This study tries to make a little step in that direction. Our purpose is to analyze verbal interaction patterns between client and clinician during psychological treatment. Thus, 16 sessions of psychological treatment were recorded. The client was an adult diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder; the clinician was a psychologist trained in behavior therapy. A coding system based on functional properties of verbal stimuli was used. Two trained observers coded the verbal behavior independently (k= 0.71-0.86). Using descriptive statistics of the data, we found that the frequency per hour of generalized discriminative stimuli (e.g. how are you feeling today?) diminished trough the treatment; or that instructions’ frequency increased after the fourth session. Sequential analysis allowed us to find positive correlations between client’s pro-therapeutic verbalizations (e.g. achievement or wellbeing verbalizations) and clinician’s reinforcement of this verbalizations. These results are useful to analyze the behavioral change processes that are set up during psychological treatment. |
|
|
109. Feasibility of Incorporating Contingency Management in a Public Treatment for Crack Users Who Are Homeless in Brazil: A Pilot Study |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
ANDRE MIGUEL (Washington State University), Viviane Simões (Federal University of Sao Paulo), Rodolfo Yamauchi (Federal University of Sao Paulo), Jair MAri (Federal University of Sao Paulo), John M. Roll (College of Medicine), Sterling McPherson (Washington State University, College of Nursing) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: Crack use has become a severe health problem in Brazil, the country being reported among the largest crack markets in the world. Located in downtown São Paulo (Brazil most populated city) Crackland emerges as a public space where thousands of crack users living under extremely vulnerable conditions gather to consume crack openly in the streets. In this pilot study we evaluated the feasibility of incorporating Contingency Management (CM) to a public ambulatory treatment located in the heart of crackland to treat currently homeless crack users. Methods: After up to 6-month of inpatient treatment a total of eight participants received 12 weeks of housing, food and ambulatory treatment (control condition) and 12 participants received 12 weeks of housing, food, ambulatory treatment and vouchers contingent to cocaine abstinence (experimental condition). All treatment procedures were conducted by treatment staff. Results: Treatment staff found CM easy to understand, easy to apply and found that CM helped patients maintain abstinence. All participants found CM easy to understand, liked receiving CM and believed it helped them during treatment. Preliminary findings are also presented. Conclusion: CM was well assimilated by treatment staff and participants suggesting the feasibility of incorporating CM in public treatments for crack use disorders. |
|
|
110. A Replication of Quintero et al. (2019): Reducing Risk of Head Injury in Youth Soccer |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
Alisa Mävers (University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt), CHRISTOPH F. BÖRDLEIN (University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: Youth soccer players are at higher risk of suffering from concussions. One cause of concussions in soccer are incorrectly performed headers. Quintero et al. (2019) reported about a study that used a task analysis of correctly executed headers and behavioral skills training as an intervention to improve the headers of 3 female youth soccer players practicing soccer in a school setting. The current study is a systematic replication of Quintero et al. with youth soccer players in Germany. The task analysis had to be adapted to the German settings. Subjects were three youth soccer players (1 female, 2 male) practicing in a soccer club. All subjects mastered the correct heading technique, although additional video feedback was necessary to reach the mastery criterion. Limitations of the study as well as differences between the original study and the replication study are discussed. Further research should focus on the practicability of the intervention in typical training situations. |
|
|
111. A Model for Addressing Self-Care: A Preliminary Examination |
Area: CBM; Domain: Theory |
LINDSEY LEBRUN (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology; Building Essential Skills Together), Jeffrey Bolin (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology), Shane T. Spiker (Positive Behavior Supports, Corp.) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: Self-care is of vital importance while working in a field in which others are served, however it is not often addressed in research for behavior analysts. This creates a cycle of burnout and high rates of turnover within the field of ABA. In this article we attempted to provide a definition of self-care. The article goes further into looking into what areas of self-care should be targeted. The Decision Making Tree looks over Basic Conditional Factors, Lifestyle Choices, and Impact of Self Care to determine areas in which a self-care plan may be developed to best benefit the clinician. Further implementations of the Decision Making Tree are then discussed. |
|
|
112. Measuring Committed Actions of Caregivers of People With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Acceptance and Commitment Training |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
AMANDA MARCINKIEWICZ (Brock University), Kendra Thomson (Brock University ), Carly Magnacca (Brock University), Sarah Davis (Brock University) |
Discussant: Michele R. Traub (St. Cloud State University) |
Abstract: Caregivers of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) may experience greater psychological distress than other caregivers. Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) has been shown to increase psychological flexibility and decrease psychological distress for these caregivers. Limited research has measured a core component of ACT (committed actions; CAs), which could be crucial in understanding how ACT can improve life satisfaction. We asked caregivers (N=11) to self-monitor their frequency of CAs (related to their values) and send their weekly results one week before and four weeks after a group-based ACT-workshop (Lunsky et al., 2018). Caregivers also completed standard psychological measures of depression, anxiety, general stress, parenting stress, and values and CAs measures. Post-ACT, 10 of 11 caregivers demonstrated increases in CAs and the group average increased from 0 in baseline to 3.4 CAs per week. All self-report data indicated therapeutic trends, with scores on parenting stress general stress, and depression approaching statistical significance. One-month follow-up data is currently being analyzed. Additional workshops will be conducted to increase statistical power. Results may help inform how self-monitoring CAs impacts the frequency of CAs in relation to measures of psychological distress, CAs, and values. |
|
|
113. Examining the Effectiveness of a Brief Tolerance Training Protocol |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
Kara Jones (Kennedy Krieger Institute), DAVID RUBIO (Kennedy Krieger Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), Matthew L. Edelstein (Kennedy Krieger Institute) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: Research shows that restricting/ denying access to items/activities often trigger disruptive behaviors for children with low frustration tolerance (Mace et al., 2011). Teaching tolerance to access restrictions requires time and resources that may not be available to all clinics and families, reflecting a significant need for briefer treatments. Delay and denial (DnD) tolerance training involving functional communication training (FCT) has been found to be effective in reducing disruptive behaviors in children with developmental disabilities. Research on the effectiveness of this treatment in outpatient clinics with typically developing children is limited. The current study utilized a brief (8 session) DnD tolerance treatment protocol with a typically developing child (4 yrs) in an outpatient clinic. Results revealed a significant reduction in disruptive behaviors and an increase in appropriate requesting and wait time. The current study extended the literature by demonstrating that the procedures utilized in previous studies can be modified to be more feasible for use in an outpatient clinic that serves an underrepresented population. Future research should focus on integrating formal preference assessments and developing relapse prevention plans that include other important settings of the child. |
|
|
114. The Influential Consultant: Changing the Behavior of the Consultee |
Area: CBM; Domain: Theory |
SHARLA N. FASKO (University of Detroit Mercy), Rachel Lee (University of Detroit Mercy), Erin Henze (University of Detroit Mercy) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: Historically, consultation training has emphasized acceptance of the consultee's belief system. In fact, consultees often have beliefs based on disproven or unproven information and ultimately cannot be providing best practices for the client. Rather than accepting their perspective, this presentation proposes that, in order to provide evidence-based-services for the client, we must correct misinformation and and bring the consultee to an awareness of best practices. Communication methods that emphasize nonconfrontational and respectful strategies will be presented. |
|
|
115. The Effects of Bilingual Acceptance and Commitment Trainingon Exercise in Bilingual International University Students |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
YIYI WANG (University of Southern California), Jonathan J. Tarbox (University of Southern California; FirstSteps for Kids), Amanda Chastain (University of Southern California), Michael J. James Cameron (University of Southern California ) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: Promoting physical activity is a crucial public health priority. Interventions that use applied behavior analytic procedures (ABA) such as contingency management and self-management have shown promise for facilitating physical activity. However, additional research is needed to advance innovation, particularly with respect to interventions that work through indirect-acting contingencies. Among these innovative models of behavior intervention, Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) has received increased attention and empirical support. Previous research has provided evidence that ACT can increase exercise but previous ACT studies have generally used group designs, which makes it difficult to carefully consider the effects of the intervention at the level of the individual participant, the level at which ACT trainers and therapists work. The present study evaluated a bilingual, five-week, one-on-one ACT-based coaching program for increasing exercise in bilingual international university students. After receiving the ACT intervention, all four participants increased their average daily steps, frequency of gym visits, and duration of gym visits significantly and gains maintained after intervention was terminated. The results of this study suggest that an ACT-based bilingual coaching program of moderate duration may be effective for increasing exercise in bilingual university students. |
|
|
116. Effects of Behavioral Skills Training Used to Teach Caregivers to Implement Escape Extinction |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
DESIREE NOELLE HECKERS (Devereux SPARC; Temple University ), Jennifer E. Dawson (Devereux SPARC), Amanda Guld Fisher (Temple University) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: The current study evaluated the effects of a Behavioral Skills Training (BST) package on parental implementation of escape extinction in a feeding clinic. Three parents of children enrolled in a clinic-based three-week intensive feeding disorder treatment program participated. The goal of the current study was to improve the already existing parent training component of the clinic’s program by utilizing BST to teach the participants critical skills needed to implement the feeding interventions at home. The BST package included verbal instruction, modeling, and role play with feedback. Generalization probes were conducted during parent-child feeding trials. A multiple baseline across behaviors design demonstrated the effectiveness of the BST package for all participants: percentage of steps implemented correctly increased to high levels for each skill. This study was limited by aspects of the experimental design and lack of generalization data. Future research should aim to close the gaps in the feeding disorder literature regarding parent training; additional research is needed in this subject area. |
|
|
117. I ACT, You ACT, We ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Interventions at the Community Level |
Area: CBM; Domain: Service Delivery |
ZOEY ISABELLA ULREY (University of Southern California), Jonathan J. Tarbox (University of Southern California; FirstSteps for Kids) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is commonly used at the individual level to treat anxiety disorders, depression, and other common psychopathology. An emerging application of ACT is at the larger group, even entire community level. This is a promising extension of ACT work because it has the potential to affect change at a larger level than psychologists or behavior analysts can do when working with only one person at a time. Promising applications have included sheltering women from violence, slowing the spread of the Ebola virus, and preventing gang violence in the country of Sierra Leone. At a broader scale, the Prosocial movement has attempted to combine ACT with principles form cultural anthropology to effect change across the globe. This poster will review such large-scale applications of ACT and make practical suggestions for how behavior analysts can make their own service delivery organizations more compassionate and values-oriented. |
|
|
118. Examining the Effect of Social Media Stimuli on Reports of Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and Affect |
Area: CBM; Domain: Basic Research |
BREANNA LEE (Missouri State University), Dana Paliliunas (Missouri State University) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: As the use of social media platforms continues to increase, researchers have examined negative effects of social media usage on mental health, while fewer studies have examined the potential positive effects of social media on psychological well-being (Pantic, 2014). Although research in this area is increasing, and social media is of relevant and significant societal interest, behavioral interpretations and analyses of social-media related behavior and effects of social media stimuli on individual responding is scarce. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and mindfulness-related social media stimuli on Instagram in a laboratory setting on momentary reports of psychological flexibility, positive and negative affect, self-compassion, mindfulness, and hypothetical scenarios among college participants assigned to a control group (neutral stimuli) or treatment (compassion/flexibility stimuli). Participants completed a series of self-report measures prior to and following viewing a series of Instagram stimuli for a brief time; changes in responding from pre- to post-treatment were analyzed. Results are interpreted in terms of stimulus control and function and motivative augmental stimuli. Implications of potential psychological flexibility-focused, social media-based interventions and the use of social media platforms in prevention science will be discussed. |
|
|
119. Intervention for Parents of Children in the Foster Care System: A Review of Behavior Analytic Journals from 1990 to 2019 |
Area: CBM; Domain: Theory |
ELANA KEISSA SICKMAN (Missouri State University), Dana Paliliunas (Missouri State University) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: Approximately 6% of children in the United States are placed into Foster Care systems, and are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, and other behavioral problems (Turney & Wildeman, 2016). Parental mental health and child maladaptive behavior have been correlated (e.g. Lecavalier, Leone, & Wiltz, 2006). Previous research has demonstrated that behavioral parent training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can improve parenting skills, child behavior, quality of life, and reported stress for biological parents of children with various behavioral and health-related needs (e.g. Blackledge & Hayes, 2006; Gould, Tarbox, & Coyne, 2018; Burke, Muscara, McCarthy, Dimovski, Hearps, Anderson, & Walser, 2014, among others). The present study sought to evaluate the prevalence and content of research on behavioral interventions for parents of children in foster care within major applied behavior analytic journals from 1990 through 2019. Articles included were identified using specified search terms, published in one the included applied behavioral science journals, and empirically evaluated an intervention in which foster parents or children were the participants. Discussed is the current state of research in this area, potential need for additional research with this population, and utility of parent training and ACT interventions in this context. |
|
|
120. The Power of Shaping: How Technology and Behavior Analysis can Improve Physical Rehabilitation |
Area: CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
BRENNAN PATRICK ARMSHAW (University of North Texas), Chandana Chitralekha (University of North Texas), Manish Vaidya (University of North Texas) |
Discussant: Cory Stanton (University of Nevada, Reno) |
Abstract: Millions of Americans receive total knee arthroplasty each year. Unfortunately, too few ever achieve a full functional recovery. A major contributor to the poor recovering outcomes is the delayed, and often ineffective, process of relearning to engage the muscles of the quadriceps. As learning is a behavioral problem, behavior analysts are uniquely equipped to address this growing concern. Behavior analysts have had great success using shaping as a means to teach new responses of various complexities. While shaping has most often been applied to observable response some previous research suggests that shaping can just as readily be applied to more micro responses.
The present study used sEMG technology to measure muscle amplitude and applied a shaping procedure to systematically increase the muscle flexion amplitude of the vastus medialus oblique. Undergraduate students were recruited to participate in this study. A shaping procedure was used to systematically increase the amplitude of VMO flexion of either the left or right knee. A similar procedure was employed on the remaining knee, however, the feedback was now delivered non-contingently. Our data suggest that shaping is an effective means of driving amplitude and may lead to improved functional outcomes when applied in a physical therapy setting. |
|
|