Token economy (treatment of sz)-EVAL Flashcards
one STRENGTH of using token economies to manage sz is that there’s research support of 7 HIGH quality studies published that examined the EFFECTIVENESS of t.e. for people with CHRONIC mental health issues such as sz and involved people living in a HOSP setting.
Results found a REDUCTION of negative symptoms and a DECLINE in the frequency of unwanted behaviour.
Therefore this SUPPORTS the use of T.E in managing sz and suggests that they ARE effective in the management of sz in terms of the NEGATIVE symptoms and unwanted behaviour. This therefore supports the VALUE of t.e. in management of sz.
However, 7 studies is quite SMALL evidence to support effectiveness of t.e. on. One issue with small sample studies is the FILE DRAWER problem, which leads to a BIAS towards POSITIVE published findings as undesirable results have been filed away. Therefore poses a SERIOUS question towards the effectiveness of T.E.
one limitation of token economy in MANAGING sz is that there are other more PLEASANT and ethical ways of managing sz such as ART THERAPY
art therapy appears to show HIGH gain and LOW risk approach to MANAGING sz. therefore, it’s an EFFECTIVE way of managaing sz but also a PLEASANT experience WITHOUT the ethical issues using toekn economy.
NICE guidlines recommend art therapy which would suggest that something like art therapy would be a good ALT to the use of token economy in the MANAGEMENT of sz.
one LIMITATION of token economy to manage sz is that it is RESTRICTED to hospitals.
It would be too HARD to monitor behaviours and give tokens OUTSIDE of hospital settings and so a problem with their use is that they are RESTRICTED.
However, this doesn’t mean that we should DISMISS the use of token economies in the management of sz at all as that could be the difference between a person being ABLE to leave the hopsital or not.
Therefore, token economies are STILL useful in the management of sz whilst in hospital and are VALUABLE in enabling sz patients to life a life outside of hosp.
one LIMITATION with the use of token economies in the MANAGEMENT of sz is that there are ETHICAL issues raised by their use.
Suggested that they are used to CONTROL patients and therefore restrict’s their personal FREEDOM. Also it could be suggested that the use of token economies in the management of sz means that the patients are NOT able to have pleasurable things such as treats or privacy which could be seen as VIOLATING their human rights.
This it therefore an ISSUE as in trying to MANAGE their sz using token economies we could be making those who are SERIOUSLY ill endure ADDED distress by perhaps not being able to attain these pleasures as they may NOT behave as desired, i.e. psych harm.
Some families of those with sz have taken LEGAL action in the use of token economies to manage sz as a violation to human rights. Therefore it could be suggested that the COST of using t.e. to manage sz may outweigh their benefits.
