Behavioural TREATMENTS of Stress - Reisinger

Question 1

What is the background for behavioural treatments

Answer 1

• Depressed behaviours are assumed to be learned, as such can be unlearned.
• Best course of treatment would be to reinforce non-depressed behaviours

Question 2

What was Reisinger’s aim

Answer 2

Find out whether a token economy could be used to treat an inpatient diagnosed with depression

Question 3

What method was used

Answer 3

Case Study

Question 4

Who was the participant

Answer 4

White female, 20 years old, inpatient for 6 years

Question 5

Outline the procedure (Token economy)

Answer 5

• Would receive a token from staff when observed smiling, social reinforcements given alongside tokens. “well done”
• A fine (removal of token) when participant cried.
• Records of tokens kept in a bank account
• Lasted 20 weeks
• Value of each token could be traded in to purchase better items like watch television
• Various complex measures introduced throughout

Question 6

How did they measure crying and smiling response

Answer 6

• Smiling response: a slight opening of the mouth and upward turning of the lips
• Crying response: Tears fro the eyes for 5-30 minutes
• Responses recorded by staff 3x a day for 2hours in conjunction with meals
• Observers at least 10ft away
• Inter-rater reliability was used with a .95 coefficient

Question 7

Results of Reisinger

Answer 7

• Initially cried 30 times smiled 0 times
• Final week cried 2 times smiled 27 times

Follow up at 14 months indicated patient had no recommendation for further treatment

Question 8

Conclusions of Reisinger

Answer 8

• Behavioural treatments can be effective in the treatment of depression