Chaney

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

• show funhaler provides +ve reinforcement ~ improved adherence in young asthmatics compared to conventional inhalers

Question 2

Research Method

Answer 2

• Field: natural, but still controlled, eg. queationnaires
• Repeated measures: can easily guess aim/provide info to support it, but no individual differences

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

• 32 Australian kids
• 10 boys & 22 girls
• random sample, 5 diff states/clinics
• mean: 3.2 years

Question 4

Variables

Answer 4

• IV: normal inhaler, funhaler
• DV: adherence rates (measured by self-report)

Question 5

Procedure

Answer 5

Ensured funhlaer didn’t compromise drug delivery
1) Parents given 1st questionnaire at start ab child’s attitude/compliance to their normal inhaler
2) 2 weeks after funhaler, given 2nd questionnaire (had same Qs as 1st)
3) Qs related to how easy device was to use, compliance of parents/children & treatment attitudes
4) During study, each parent called randomly to find out whether they had attempted to medicate child day b4

Question 6

Results

Answer 6

• 80% took recommended dosage for funhaler, 50% normal
• 68% pleasure w funhaler, 10% normal
• 81% medicated child previous day w funhaler, 59% normal
• significantly more parents reported ‘always’ successful in medicating child (22/30) compared to normal (3/30)

Question 7

Type of data

Answer 7

Quantitative
- no. kids complied w funhaler vs normal = ez to compare
- no info directly from kids (assumed adherence ; positive reinforcement)

Question 8

Conclusions

Answer 8

• funhaler which has incentive toys provide positive reinforcement ~ improved adherence in young asthmatics
• funhaler improves measures of clinical outcomes,
  > eg. lowers admission rates to hospital for asthma attacks
• self-reinforcement strategies w devices (eg. funhaler) may improve overall child health
• ~ by making regime fun, adherence in kids improve but more research recommended in long term for efficacy of treatment

Question 9

Validity

Answer 9

• low internal: self-report ~ bias ; wanting to seem good saying they medicated children more than they have - social desirability
• high ecological: own home, natural environment

Question 10

Reliability

Answer 10

• matching questionnaires after each inhaler ~ responses = comparable
• diff environments ~ situational variables could alter measures consistency
• researchers tried to minimise bias by not giving extra info on funhaler usage

Question 11

Sampling bias

Answer 11

• b & g
• random sampling ~ low bias ~ representative
• in Perth/Western Australia ~ higher generalisability
• but may not be applicable to outside Australian cultures, eg. Asia & Africa - 80% rely on home remedies

Question 12

Ethics

Answer 12

• tests carried out to ensure satisfactory amount of meds delivered
• IC: parents briefed on aims
• RTW: kids may have felt forced to participate to obey parents

Question 13

Practical applications

Answer 13

• reduce asthma attack risks by enforcing positive reinforcement strategies
• in schools, hospitals, home

Question 14

DEBATES

Answer 14

• Deterministic: environmentally determinism - changing environment (funhaler) changes behaviour
• Nurture/Situational: changing smth in environment to increase desired behaviour
• Individual differences: some kids may hv more compliant or rebellious disposition, eg. ~ compliance rates not 100%
• Reductionist: behaviour change only ; of positive reinforcement - funhaler
• Usefulness: less strain in medical centers/healthcare service, reduces mortality rate, hospital admissions