Teaching social-learning procedures to paraprofessionals working with individuals with severe mental illness in a maximum-security forensic hospital
✍ Scribed by Nicole T. Jones; Anthony A. Menditto; Lynn R. Geeson; Elaine Larson; Lisa Sadewhite
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2001
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 89 KB
- Volume
- 16
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1072-0847
- DOI
- 10.1002/bin.90
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Abstract
This study describes an integrated technical method for teaching learning‐based interventions to paraprofessionals working in a maximum‐security psychiatric facility as a social‐learning program was implemented. This training approach combines brief didactic instruction with live demonstration and guided practice in specific procedures. Comparisons between baseline and post‐training functioning of staff were made using ongoing direct observational assessment data. Results revealed that following training and program implementation staff were much more active overall, interacted with clients far more often, and engaged in much lower rates of job‐irrelevant activity. Moreover, following training direct observational data of the patterns of staff–client interactions showed that staff were much more likely to demonstrate interactions reflective of learning‐based interventions than at baseline. These results have important implications for clinicians and administrators attempting to implement behavioral rehabilitation programs. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.