Acceptability of child treatment techniques: The influence of treatment efficacy and adverse side effects

doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(81)80087-1

Behavior Therapy

Volume 12, Issue 4, September 1981, Pages 493-506

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(81)80087-1 Get rights and content

Acceptability of alternative treatments for deviant child behavior was evaluated in two experiments. In each experiment, undergraduate students rated four different treatments applied to clinical case descriptions of children. The treatments (reinforcement of incompatible behavior, positive practice, time out from reinforcement, and medication) were presented in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin Square design. The investigations evaluated the effects of treatment efficacy (Experiment 1) and the influence of adverse side effects associated with treatment (Experiment 2) on ratings of treatment acceptability. Treatments were consistently different in their acceptability ratings. In both experiments, reinforcement was rated as more acceptable than the other treatments which followed in order, positive practice, time out, and medication. The effectiveness of treatments in altering behavior did not influence acceptability ratings, although they did influence perceptions of strength of treatment. In contrast, the presence of undesirable side effects markedly influenced acceptability ratings. Stronger adverse side effects reduced acceptability ratings of all treatments.

References (23)

AzrinN.H. et al.
Eliminating habitual vomiting in a retarded adult by positive practice and self-correction
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
(1975)
FoxxR.M. et al.
Restitution: A method of eliminating aggressive-disruptive behavior of retarded and brain-damaged patients
Behaviour Research and Therapy
(1972)
HomerA.L. et al.
Differential reinforcement of other behavior: A preferred response elimination procedure
Behavior Therapy
(1980)
KazdinA.E.
Acceptability of time out from reinforcement procedures for disruptive child behavior
Behavior Therapy
(1980)
MayhewG.L. et al.
Some negative side effects of a punishment procedure for stereotyped behavior
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
(1978)
BorenJ.J. et al.
Some experiments on reinforcement principles, within a psychiatric ward for delinquent soldiers
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
(1970)
BuddK.S. et al.
Behavior modification and the law: Implications of recent judicial decisions
Journal of Psychiatry and Law
(1976)
DoleysD.M. et al.
Treatment of childhood encopresis: Full cleanliness training
Mental Retardation
(1975)
HerbertE.W. et al.
Adverse effects of differential parental attention
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
(1973)
KazdinA.E.
Acceptability of alternative treatments for deviant child behavior
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
(1980)

KazdinA.E.

Behavior modification in applied settings

(1980)

Cited by (234)

Narcan and Narcan't: Implementation factors influencing police officer use of Narcan
2021, Social Science and Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
These domains consist of the inner setting of the police organization (particularly “work processes”) and the characteristics of individuals (particularly individual knowledge of, and attitudes toward, the intervention). A key factor in the success of any public health or harm-reduction initiative is the support of line staff, and the degree to which they view the treatment as “appropriate, fair, and reasonable” (Kazdin, 1981). The study's survey component was partially aimed at assessing officer support for using Narcan, with officers in both services being generally concerned—and often highly concerned—about opioid use in their jurisdiction.
First responders—including police officers—play a prominent role in managing the risk of fentanyl overdoses. In many jurisdictions, they have Naloxone (also commercially available as Narcan) at their disposal to counter the effects of an opioid overdose. Little empirical research exists on how effectively police are incorporating this emergency rescue medication into routine practice. Between 2018 and 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with police officers from two Western Canadian police organizations. We also administered organization-wide web surveys to determine what factors facilitate or inhibit the incorporation of Narcan into police practice by looking at two domains: 1) the inner setting of the police organization and 2) personal knowledge of, and attitudes toward, an intervention. Whether officers administered Narcan depended on several personal and organizational factors, including: 1) having sufficient knowledge and concern about the fentanyl situation, 2) being knowledgeable about Narcan and trained in its use, 3) the medication being readily available to officers, and 4) being willing to administer it to citizens.
Incorporating feasibility protocols in intervention research
2021, Journal of School Psychology
Citation Excerpt :
Acceptability is the most traditional way of conceptualizing and, in turn, measuring social validity. Acceptability refers to the perceived appropriateness, fairness, reasonableness, and intrusiveness of an intervention for addressing a specific concern (Kazdin, 1981; Nastasi & Truscott, 2000; Reimers, Wacker, Cooper, & DeRaad, 1992). The success of intervention development depends, in part, on the acceptability of the research protocol and intervention practices for key stakeholders (Sekhon, Cartwright, & Francis, 2017).
In this paper, we review some dimensions of feasibility research. Feasibility research focuses on the intervention process and addresses questions about whether and how an intervention can be evaluated and implemented. Feasibility studies are implemented prior to conducting an outcome-focused pilot study or full-scale evaluation to test the effectiveness of an intervention. We propose a feasibility framework that includes 10 possible dimensions to evaluate in a feasibility trial, including (a) recruitment capability, (b) data collection procedures, (c) design procedures, (d) social validity, (e) practicality, (f) integration into existing systems, (g) adaptability, (h) implementation, (i) effectiveness, and (j) generalizability. Among these dimensions we offer some priorities that researchers can consider in establishing feasibility. Although feasibility investigations can advance evidence-based practice in psychology and education, we review current challenges for researchers to consider when incorporating a feasibility protocol into their intervention research agenda.
It also takes teachers to tango: Using social validity assessment to refine an intervention design
2021, International Journal of Educational Research
Citation Excerpt :
Second, the social validity of an intervention is determined by the appropriateness of the procedures used within that intervention, which generally concerns the acceptability and the feasibility. Acceptability refers to the extent to which teachers judge the intervention procedures as acceptable, fair, and reasonable for the problem (Kazdin, 1981). Teachers are more likely to select an intervention that aligns with their teaching philosophy because they consider it acceptable practice (Carter & Pesko, 2008).
Interventions are not always implemented with fidelity in education thereby confining their effectiveness. Socially valid interventions that match the needs and demands of teachers are implemented with more fidelity. This design study aims to elucidate which factors enhance or impede the social validity of an intervention aimed at promoting the social participation of students with disabilities. A social validity assessment via interviews was conducted with 17 kindergarten teachers. The results show that teachers evaluated the intervention on all three dimensions of social validity: goals, procedures, and (expected) effect. Teachers were predominantly positive about the intervention, though, five intervention aspects were considered challenging and need alteration. This study demonstrates that social validity assessment can be a valuable tool in refining interventions.
The Influence of Race and Income on Community Mothers’ Acceptance of Child Management Methods
2018, Behavior Therapy
The consideration of diverse family factors on parents’ acceptance of behavioral parent training (BPT) components aids in the development and delivery of culturally sensitive parenting programs. Perceptions of acceptability are particularly important to investigate among low-income and racial-minority families, as they are less likely to engage in nonadapted BPT programs. Therefore, the current study examines the synergistic effects of race and income on mothers’ acceptance of five common child management methods relevant to BPT. The relationship between mothers’ acceptability ratings and self-reported parenting practices was also explored. Participants were 106 White and Black mothers from different income levels who completed measures related to the acceptability of response cost, positive reinforcement, time-out, spanking, and medication. The results indicated that mothers from varying backgrounds differed in their acceptance of child management methods, particularly with regard to corporal punishment. Additionally, a relationship was found between parents’ acceptability ratings and their self-reported parenting behavior. The findings support the consideration of parents’ perceptions of child discipline methods when recommending and delivering BPT programs to diverse parents.
Social Validity Assessment
2017, Applied Behavior Analysis Advanced Guidebook: A Manual for Professional Practice
Social validity refers to the social significance of intervention goals, social acceptability of intervention procedures, and social importance of effects (Kazdin, 1977. Behavior Modification, 1, 427; Wolf, 1978. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 203–214). Assessing social validity is an important component of applied behavioral analytic inquiry. By assessing social validity, practicing professionals are empowered to revise and refine interventions with positive outcomes. In this chapter, we defined the term social validity and offered behavioral practitioners pragmatic direction and recommendations regarding social validity assessment. We provided a concise discussion of the history of social validity, explaining how the assessment of social validity became—and continues to be—a priority in the field of applied behavior analysis. Then, we focused on practical applications of social validity: (1) the importance of assessing social validity at each level of prevention, (2) the importance of assessing social validity from all stakeholders involved in any intervention effort, and (3) the range of methods for measuring social validity. We concluded with a summary of practical guidelines, noting salient essential learning from this chapter.
Exploring the Relationship between Adherence to Therapy, Treatment Acceptability, and Clinical Outcomes in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from the COMPAS Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
2024, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

View all citing articles on Scopus

^*: Completion of this research was facilitated by Grant MH31047 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

¹: The author is grateful to Randall Krouse and Sally Mascitelli for their assistance in completing the project.

View full text

Acceptability of child treatment techniques: The influence of treatment efficacy and adverse side effects*

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Behavior Therapy

Behavior Therapy

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

Some experiments on reinforcement principles, within a psychiatric ward for delinquent soldiers

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Behavior modification and the law: Implications of recent judicial decisions

Journal of Psychiatry and Law

Treatment of childhood encopresis: Full cleanliness training

Mental Retardation

Adverse effects of differential parental attention

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Acceptability of alternative treatments for deviant child behavior

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Behavior modification in applied settings