ABSTRACT
This chapter presents data from the intervention and evaluation of a single individual in order to reduce aggressive behavior in a hospital setting. The study reports the result of a behavioral program to treat chronic aggression in an adult person diagnosed with schizophrenia at a public psychiatric hospital. Aggression was defined as either hitting peers or staff on any part of their body with an open or a closed hand. The intervention consisted of three phases: a functional assessment of the participant’s behavior, with baseline data collection; formulation of a behavioral plan; and implementation of the behavioral plan, with ongoing staff training. Data collection involved the recording of his behavior prior to each incident and a descriptive record of the behavior and consequences applied by staff. Repeated behavioral observations of the patient showed that he maintained isolative behaviors across all settings, often not initiating or responding even to minimal requests.
