Behavior modification facility

A behavior modification facility (or Youth Residential Program) is a private, residential educational institution to which parents send adolescents who are perceived as displaying antisocial behavior, in an attempt to alter their conduct.

The behavior modification methodologies used vary, but a combination of positive and negative reinforcement is typically used. Often these methods are delivered in a contingency management format such as a point system or level system.. Such methodology has been found to be highly effective in the treatment of disruptive disorders {see meta-analysis of Chen & Ma (2007) [Chen & Ma (2007) Effectiveness of treatments on disruptive disorders: A quantitative synthesis of single subject methods using the PEM approach. "The Behavior Analyst Today 8(4)," 380-397 [http://www.behavior-analyst-online.org Behavior Analyst Online] ] }. Positive reinforcement mechanisms include points, rewards and signs of status, while negative reinforcement may include time-outs, point deductions, reversal of status, prolonged stays at a facility, physical restraint, or even corporal punishment. A newer approach uses graduated sanctions [Howell, J.C. (Sept., 1998). “A new approach to juvenile crime: The promise of graduated sanctions in a juvenile justice system.” "Corrections Compendium, Vol 23, No 9".] Behavior modification within the penal system lost popularity in the 1970s-1980s due to a large number of abuses (see Cautilli & Weinberg (2007) [Cautilli, J.D. & Weinberg, M. (2007). Editorial: To license or not to license? That is the question: Or, if we make a profession, will they come? "The Behavior Analyst Today 8 (1)," 1-8 [http://www.behavior-analyst-online.org Behavior Analyst Online] ] ), but recent trends in the increase in U.S. crime and recent focus on reduction of recidivism have given such programs as second look [http://www.ftnys.org/juv.htm] [Redding, R.E., “Characteristics of Effective Treatments and Interventions for Juvenile Offenders.” Juvenile Justice Fact Sheet, Institute of Law, Psychiatry & Public Policy, University of Virginia.] . [Lipsey, M., & Wilson, D. (1998). Effective intervention for serious juvenile offenders: A synthesis of research. In R. Loeber & D. Farrington(Eds.), "Serious and Violent Juvenile Offenders". Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA.] To reduce the tendency for abuse, a strong push has occurred to certify or license behavior modifiers [ [http://www.bacb.com BACB] ] [ [http://www.abapracticesig.org/PIBA] ] or to have such practices limited to licensed psychologists. [http://forms.apa.org/practice/modelactlicensure/ModelActforReview.pdf]

Often the practice of behavior modification in facilities comes into question (see recent interest in Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Aspen Education Group and the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools). Often these types of restrictive issues are discussed as part of ethical and legal standards (see Professional practice of behavior analysis).

While boot camp type programs have not been shown to be successful, largely because they represent punishment devoid of context (unlike in the military, where passing boot camp initiates one into the service), programs such as teaching family homes have been extensively researched and show positive gains. Research shows that they can be used to reduce delinquency while adolescents are in the home and post release {see Kingsley (2006) [ Kingsley, D.E. (2006): The Teaching-Family Model and Post-Treatment Recidivism: A Critical Review of the Conventional Wisdom - IJBCT, 2.(4), 481-497. [http://www.behavior-analyst-online.org International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy] ] }. In general, these types of programs take a behavioral engineering approach to reducing problem behavior and building skills.

In general, behavior modification programs that are used in facilities or in the natural environment have the largest effect size and lead to an estimated 15% reduction in recidivism. [TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS AND RECIDIVISM: ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMMES APPLIED IN EUROPE Santiago Redondo Illescas, Julio Sánchez-Meca and Vicente Garrido GenovésPsychology in Spain, 2001, Vol. 5 47-62. [http://www.psychologyinspain.com/content/full/2001/default.htm] ] While this reduction appears to be modest, it holds potention in the U.S. given the large number of people in the prison system. Increasingly behavior modification models based on the principles of applied behavior analysis are being developed to model delinquency [Stumphauzer, J. S.(1985). Understanding Delinquency: A Behavioral Analysis."Child and Youth Services," v8 n1-2 p. 1-15 ]

References

*Kingsley, D.E. (2006): The Teaching-Family Model and Post-Treatment Recidivism: A Critical Review of the Conventional Wisdom - International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 2.(4), 481-497. [http://www.behavior-analyst-online.org Behavior Analyst Online]
*Santiago Redondo Illescas, Julio Sánchez-Meca and Vicente Garrido Genovés (2001).TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS AND RECIDIVISM: ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMMES APPLIED IN EUROPE Psychology in Spain, Vol. 5 47-62. [http://www.psychologyinspain.com/content/full/2001/default.htm]

External links

* [http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1220.html US State Dept. page] on offshore BMFs
* [http://www.isaccorp.org/ The International Survivors Action Committee (ISAC)] , an organization working against behavior modification facilities
* [http://www.teenliberty.org/ TeenLiberty.org] , a site which cites many complaints of BMFs
* [http://www.apa.org/pi/cyf/cyfnewsarchive.html "Exploitation in the Name of 'Specialty Schooling'] by Allison Pinto, Ph.D., Robert M. Friedman, Ph.D. and Monica Epstein, Ph.D., Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, "American Psychological Association: Children, Youth and Families News", Summer 2005, retrieved June 28, 2006
* [http://cfs.fmhi.usf.edu/projects/ASTART.htm/ ASTART] The Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment (A START)
* [http://forums.youthrights.org/forumdisplay.php?f=42 National Youth Rights Association forum on BMFs]
* Behavior Analyst Certification Board [http://www.bacb.com]
* Association for Behavior Analysis International's Right to Effective Behavioral Treatment [http://www.abainternational.org/ABA/statements/treatment.asp]
* [http://www.empoweringparents.com Empowering Parents] An E-zine for parents to aid in changing defiant child behavior.

Chen & Ma (2007) Effectiveness of treatments on disruptive disorders: A quantitative synthesis of single subject methods using the PEM approach. The Behavior Analyst Today 8(4), 380-397 [http://www.behavior-analyst-online.org]

Cautilli, J.D. & Weinberg, M. (2007). Editorial: To license or not to license? That is the question: Or, if we make a profession, will they come? "The Behavior Analyst Today 8 (1)," 1-8 [http://www.behavior-analyst-online.org]