Evaluation of long-term therapeutic efficacy of behavior modification program with chronic male psychiatric inpatients.

摘要: Abstract An experimental Behavior Modification Program (BMP) was carried out on fifteen diagnosed chronic schizophrenic male patients a mixed-population open psychiatric unit in VA Medical Center. Treatment consisted of positive-reinforcement and response-cost contingency procedures conducted for 85, 80, 75 70 sessions, respectively, the patients. These were recruited treatment based staff documentation reports gross verbal abuse, non-attendance at assignments, poor grooming skills, excessive drinking behavior while circulating ward. Three to four aforementioned inappropriate (target) behaviors selected each subject treated sequentially multiple baseline design. Both highly successful changing three their targeted behaviors, but only partially effective eight those with problems. Follow-up assessment participants study indicated that most positive effects intervention persisted over 6–12 months post-treatment periods. Of inpatients participated BMP, fourteen have been discharged into community foster homes one remains ward awaiting placement outside hospital.