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‘We struggle and muddle.’ A qualitative study exploring community ABI therapists’ experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 June 2020

Jai Jason Carmichael Open the ORCID record for Jai Jason Carmichael [Opens in a new window] ,
Amelia J. Hicks Open the ORCID record for Amelia J. Hicks [Opens in a new window] ,
Kate Rachel Gould Open the ORCID record for Kate Rachel Gould [Opens in a new window] ,
Timothy J. Feeney ,
Penelope Analytis Open the ORCID record for Penelope Analytis [Opens in a new window]  and
Jennie Louise Ponsford Open the ORCID record for Jennie Louise Ponsford [Opens in a new window]
Jai Jason Carmichael*
Affiliation:
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Amelia J. Hicks
Affiliation:
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Kate Rachel Gould
Affiliation:
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Timothy J. Feeney
Affiliation:
Belvedere Health Services and the Mill School, Essex Junction, Vermont, USA
Penelope Analytis
Affiliation:
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Jennie Louise Ponsford
Affiliation:
Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: jai.carmichael@monash.edu
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Abstract

Objectives:

Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) may present with challenging behaviours (CB) that place themselves and others at risk of harm and impact their community integration. It is crucial for community ABI therapists to successfully train in and implement behaviour interventions. The current study aimed to investigate community ABI therapists’ experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions. An additional aim was to determine these therapists’ understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), one approach to addressing CB with a focus on improving quality of life.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Australian community ABI therapists about their experiences of using, training in and implementing behaviour interventions and understanding of PBS. Inductive thematic analysis and content analysis were performed on interview transcripts.

Findings:

The thematic analysis resulted in the generation of six themes which described the difficulties participants faced in training in and delivering behaviour interventions and identified their training and implementation needs. The content analysis resulted in 10 categories that characterised participants’ understanding of PBS, which centred around the absence of consequences, a focus on antecedents, person-centred practice and encouraging prosocial alternatives to CB.

Conclusions:

The findings highlight a need and desire for more practical and interactive clinician training in behaviour interventions for individuals with ABI. Moreover, the findings suggest a limited understanding of PBS amongst community ABI therapists. Important considerations for the development of clinician training in ABI behaviour interventions and subsequent implementation into community practice are discussed.

Keywords

acquired brain injurychallenging behaviourstrainingimplementationPositive Behaviour Support
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , March 2021 , pp. 34 - 49
Copyright
© Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2020

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