Citation

Baer RA. Educ. Treat. Child. 1989; 12(2): 190-199.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, West Virginia University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Maintenance of the effects of behavior change programs with children is widely recognized as an important issue. A growing body of literature suggests that several strategies can be effective in promoting maintenance. However, even in studies that include a maintenance-promoting strategy, the strategy is often implemented by experimenters who, after demonstrating that their strategy leads to better maintenance than has been seen before, will leave the experimental setting. Assessment of long term maintenance following the departure of the experimenters is rare. It is possible that the departure of the experimenters results in dismantling of the program and subsequent loss of improvements seen during the research project. This paper argues that behavioral research with children might have more impact if greater attention were paid to this issue. Selected illustrative studies from the child behavior modification literature are reviewed and suggestions offered. The dissemination of behavioral interventions and the concept of social validity are also briefly discussed.

Language: en