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Biomedical subjects

M F Dorsey

Publications and source records attributed to M F Dorsey.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Toward a functional analysis of self-injury.

This study describes the use of an operant methodology to assess functional relationships between self-injury and specific environmental events. The self-injurious behaviors of nine developmentally disabled subjects were observed during periods of brief, repeated exposure to a series of analogue conditions. Each condition differed along one or more of the following dimensions: (1) play materials (present vs absent), (2) experimenter demands (high vs low), and (3) social attention (absent vs noncontingent vs contingent). Results showed a great deal of both between and within-subject variability. However, in six of the nine subjects, higher levels of self-injury were consistently associated with a specific stimulus condition, suggesting that within-subject variability was a function of distinct features of the social and/or physical environment. These data are discussed in light of previously suggested hypotheses for the motivation of self-injury, with particular emphasis on their implications for the selection of suitable treatments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The functions of self-injurious behavior: an experimental-epidemiological analysis.

Data are summarized from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of self-injurious behavior (SIB). Individuals with developmental disabilities referred for assessment and/or treatment over an 11-year period were exposed to a series of conditions in which the effects of antecedent and consequent events on SIB were examined systematically by way of multielement, reversal, or combined designs. Data were collected during approximately 4,000 experimental sessions (1,000 hr), with the length of assessment for individuals ranging from 8 to 66 sessions (M = 26.2) conducted over 2 to 16.5 hr (M = 6.5). Differential or uniformly high responding was observed in 145 (95.4%) of the cases. Social-negative reinforcement (escape from task demands or other sources of aversive stimulation) accounted for 58 cases, which was the largest proportion of the sample (38.1%). Social-positive reinforcement (either attention or access to food or materials) accounted for 40 (26.3%) of the cases, automatic (sensory) reinforcement accounted for 39 (25.7%), and multiple controlling variables accounted for 8 (5.3%). Seven sets of data (4.6%) showed either cyclical or inconsistent patterns of responding that were uninterpretable. Overall results indicated that functional analysis methodologies are extremely effective in identifying the environmental determinants of SIB on an individual basis and, subsequently, in guiding the process of treatment selection. Furthermore, an accumulation of assessment data from such analyses across a large number of individuals provides perhaps the most rigorous approach to an epidemiological study of behavioral function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Reliability analysis of the Motivation Assessment Scale: a failure to replicate.

The Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) has been proposed as an efficient questionnaire for identifying the source of reinforcement for an individual's self-injurious behavior (SIB). A previous reliability analysis of the MAS (Durand & Crimmins, 1988) reported interrater correlation coefficients ranging from .66 to .92, based on a comparison of responses provided by classroom teachers. In this study, the reliability of the MAS was reexamined with two independent groups of developmentally disabled individuals who exhibited SIB (N = 55). For the institutional sample (n = 39), the MAS was given to two staff members (a supervisor and therapy aide) who work with the individual daily. For the school sample (n = 16), the MAS was given to the teacher and teacher's aide who taught the student. The correlational analyses completed by Durand and Crimmins (1988) were repeated; in addition, a more precise analysis of interrater reliability was calculated based on the actual number of scoring agreements between the two raters. Results showed that only 16 of the 55 raters agreed on the category of reinforcement maintaining their client's or student's SIB, that only 15% of the correlation coefficients obtained were above .80, and that none of the reliability scores based on percent agreement between raters was above 80%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Behavior analysis, program development, and transfer of control in the treatment of self-injury.

This case study illustrates an empirical approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and controlled follow-up of self-injurious clients. Following an assessment period, during which environmental factors associated with a severely retarded adolescent's self-injury were identified, the contingent application of protective equipment was combined with a differential reinforcement procedure (DRO) and implemented in a multiple baseline design across two hospital settings. Results showed a marked decrease in the rate of self-injury. Upon discharge from the hospital, the program was successfully replicated at the adolescent's residential center, again using a multiple baseline design across settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Reduction of eye gouging using a response interruption procedure.

A profoundly retarded male with severe congenital impairment of vision and hearing was treated for self-inflicted eye gouging. Prior to intervention, continuous mechanical restraint was required to prevent the response, precluding participation in educational and play activities. The response topography, the nature of the client's deficits, and a preliminary behavioral and medical assessment suggested that the response functioned as a source of sensory self-stimulation. Presentation of toys plus differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) as alternate sources of stimulation during baseline had no impact on eye gouging. The introduction of a contingent response interruption procedure reduced eye gouging and decreased the amount of time spent in restraints. Treatment effects were replicated in a group setting, and in the natural environment. Parents and school personnel were trained to use the treatment, and eye gouging remained infrequent at a 9-month follow-up.

Arousal↗
PubMed1982

Assessment and training of clinical interviewing skills: analogue analysis and field replication.

Two studies were conducted to assess the train clinical interviewing skills. In Experiment 1, eight university practicum students ("therapists") and either role played or volunteer "clients" were audiotaped during simulated interviews. Following the collection of baseline data on both therapist and client responses, training was provided by way of written materials, classroom instruction and practice, and quizzes. Results of a multiple baseline design across subjects showed improvements in therapists' interviewing skills and subsequent increases in client responding. Experiment 2 replicated and extended the research to a hospital outpatient clinic, in which therapists interviewed the parents of children with behavior problems. In addition, four months following the completion of Experiment 2, follow-up data collected during a maintenance condition showed continued high levels of therapist and client behavior. Finally, a panel of expert peers indicated that each response category was judged highly relevant to the behavioral assessment process.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1982

Protective equipment: continuous and contingent application in the treatment of self-injurious behavior.

This study evaluated the use of protective equipment in treating self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhibited by three retarded persons. In Experiment 1, the equipment was first applied continuously during 20-min sessions in individual multiple baseline designs across settings. Results showed substantial reductions in head hitting, eye gouging, and hand biting. Brief periods of time-out with the protective equipment were later made contingent on SIB and combined with a differential reinforcement procedure. Reduced levels of SIB was maintained with all subjects. Additionally, the amount of time during which the equipment was applied decreased as the SIB diminished. Experiment 2 evaluated the use of contingent protective equipment (the final condition in Experiment 1) when applied directly in the subjects' living units during the day. During Experiment 2, SIB remained at or below the levels found at the termination of Experiment 1. Finally, in an effort to assess the long-term effectiveness of the procedure, responsibility for implementation was given to the staff who were typically assigned to provide therapy to the subjects. Follow-up probe observations conducted up to 104 days after termination of the final experimental condition showed continued low levels of both SIB and equipment usage. Results of these experiments suggest that contingent protective equipment and differential reinforcement may be effective in reducing chronic self-injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Treatment of self-injurious behavior using a water mist: initial response suppression and generalization.

This study evaluated the effects of a fine mist of water applied to the face contingent upon self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhibited by profoundly retarded persons. In Experiment 1, results of individual reversal designs showed substantial reductions in a variety of SIB's (mouthing, hand biting, skin tearing, and head banging) for seven participants. In Experiment 2, two participants who frequently bit their hands were each observed in two different settings. Following initial baselines in each setting, a series of manipulations was undertaken to compare the effects of mild verbal punishment ("No") with those of a combined treatment ("No" plus mist procedure). Results in one setting indicated that "No" suppressed SIB only after it was first paired with the water mist. Data also suggested that, once acquired, the punishing properties of "No" could be extended to a second setting in which the mist was never applied, and that these effects could be generalized across therapists. Results of these experiments indicate that the water mist procedure may be an effective alternative to traditional punishment techniques. Although conclusions regarding generalization are limited due to the brevity of the maintenance conditions, the data suggest that treatment gains may be transferred to more acceptable forms of social punishment and reinforcement.

Adolescent↗