Brief report: Contact desensitization in the treatment of dog phobias in persons who have mental retardation
✍ Scribed by Nasrin Erfanian; Raymond G. Miltenberger
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1990
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 383 KB
- Volume
- 5
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1072-0847
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✦ Synopsis
In comparison with the research done on phobias in non-retarded individuals, there is a paucity of research in the treatment of phobias in persons with mental retardation. In this study, contact desensitization was evaluated as a treatment for two individuals who have mental retardation and an intense fear of dogs. Following base-line assessment using a behavioral avoidance test (BAT) measuring actual approach behavior, treatment was implemented in a multiple base-line across subjects design. Contact desensitization resulted in the elimination of avoidance behavior in both subjects during the BAT. Measures of generalization in an outdoor setting, and maintenance during a two-month follow-up, showed that the clients continued to be free of avoidance behavior. The implications for further application and research are discussed.
* It is unclear from the studies with subjects who have mental retardation whether the problem is simply an avoidance behavior or an actual phobia. Phobias are typically defined by significant avoidance behavior and self-report of anxiety causing significant distress to the subject. In many cases the anxiety is not, or cannot, be reported by subjects with mental retardation. In such cases it must be inferred from the subjects' behavior, for example agitation, crying, or other 'fear' responses.