Social acceptability of child clients receiving behavioral treatments

Loretta Ellen Willits Kroin, Purdue University

Abstract

Knowledge that an individual has received psychological intervention has been shown to lead to stigmatization, a negative evaluation of that person. This study was an attempt to explore the phenomenon of stigmatization, or labeling biases, for specific types of intervention. Because treatments vary consistently in their acceptability, this study was designed to determine whether or not the form that therapy takes differentially affects the evaluation of the treated child. Videotapes of five girls portraying clients with behavior problems were pretested for a number of variables including attractiveness, problem severity, and likeability. The two girls who were rated similarly on the largest majority of items were selected for the main study. Sixty-two parents who had children between the ages of six and fourteen served as subjects. Each subject saw videotapes of both girls exhibiting noncompliance in a clinic setting. Following the noncompliant behavior sample, subjects saw a tape that explained the treatment that had been selected for the child and a brief demonstration of its application to the child. Different forms of behavioral treatments, Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior, Time-Out from Reinforcement, and Planned Spanking were selected because they have been shown to differ in levels of treatment acceptability. A 12 Group x 2 (Rating Period) x 2 (Child) x 3 (Treatment) incomplete block analysis of variance was employed. The evaluations of the two children differed significantly depending upon their problem behaviors. The girls were evaluated least negatively on the Child Client Evaluation Inventory when seen receiving the Reinforcement intervention followed by the Time-Out procedure, and finally, most negatively when receiving the Planned Spanking intervention. Under all treatment conditions, the ratings of the girls were below the level of moderately acceptable. Additionally, the children were selected by the subjects to interact with their own child significantly more frequently when the Reinforcement procedure was implemented than when either Time-Out of Planned Spanking were used. Overall, the Reinforcement and Time-Out procedures were considered acceptable methods for use in modifying children's problem behaviors. However, the Planned Spanking procedure was rated below the moderately acceptable level. These findings are similar to others in previous treatment acceptability research.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Santogrossi, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Psychotherapy

COinS