This study examined effects of outcome performance feedback on maintenance of client and direct care staff behavior in a group home for four clients with severe/profound intellectual disability. Following baseline observations, 8 staff were instructed to prompt and praise interclient interactions and game activity during leisure sessions. Staff training comprised written instructions, in situ modeling and rehearsal, and performance feedback. This was followed by a 17-week maintenance period, during which staff received outcome performance feedback based on independent and self-recorded observations. Results showed that client gains were maintained, but did not stabilize. It was concluded that process feedback should have accompanied outcome feedback until staff behavior levels suitable for durable maintenance were obtained. In addition, successful use of performance feedback as a maintenance tool is highly dependent on which outcome behaviors are selected, and whether these are eventually naturally reinforced.
Performance feedback is a popular technology for changing staff behavior. It has been extensively used and researched with direct care staff in habilitative programs, particularly those for persons with intellectual disability (Reid & Whitman, 1983; Repp, Felce, & de Kock, 1987). Performance feedback provides staff with information on past performance and effectively acts as a positive or negative reinforcer (Balcazar, Hopkins, & Suarez, 1985;Peterson, 1982). Feedback is usually delivered by supervisors or researchers in verbal, written or graphic forms at daily, weekly or monthly intervals.
Although performance feedback technology has proved effective for shortterm behavior change, how to best design feedback methods for maintenance This study was completed in partial fulfillment towards a Ph.D. degree at Murdoch University, Western Australia. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 12th National Conference of the Australian Behaviour Modification Association in Perth, Western Australia, July, 1989. Gratitude is extended to Fiona Jeffrey, and staff and residents of Harris Road group home, Palmyra, for their assistance and co-operation.