Chaney ('Funhaler'- Positive Reinforcement)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Show that the ‘Funhaler’ can provide positive reinforcement and show improved adherence in young asthmatics

Question 2

Sample

Answer 2

32 Australian children (10 male 22 female), mean age of around 3, who were currently receiving treatment/prescribed drugs.
This sample is small and ethnocentric, so is unrepresentative and may lack population validity

Question 3

Method

Answer 3

Field experiment, because the IV (type of inhaler) was manipulated and it took place in the participants homes (ecological validity) and the DV was the adherence to the prescribed inhaler. Repeated measures design was used as the children used the ‘Funhaler’ and the normal inhaler

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

Comparison was first made so that the ‘Funhaler’ did not deliver a different amount of drug.
Parents were contacted and gave informed consent.
They were then given a questionnaire (validated by a psychologist) about the current attitudes them and their child has towards their current normal inhaler.
The children used the ‘Funhaler’ for 2 weeks and parents were contacted everyday to check whether they had or hadn’t taken the inhaler.
After the 2 weeks they were given the same exact questionnaire to see whether the child was more competent with the new inhaler.

Question 5

Findings

Answer 5

More parents reported that they were ‘always’ successful when medicating their child:
22/30- Funhaler
3/30- usual

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

The Funhaler is useful for managing children with asthma as they showed significantly more adherence to the product. However it is recommended that more research goes into how reliable this is long term.