Staff attributions towards distressed behaviour in dementia before and after training in psychological assessment and formulation

McVicar, Sally (2013) Staff attributions towards distressed behaviour in dementia before and after training in psychological assessment and formulation. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Aims: The current research explores the impact psychological training has on attributions held by health and social care staff regarding the causes of distressed behaviour exhibited by individuals with dementia. Method: Participants attended a two-day formal training workshop aimed at developing knowledge and skills regarding assessment, formulation, and interventions for distressed behaviours within a psychological model (James, 2011). Attributions made by participants were measured before and after training using the Challenging Behaviour Attribution Scale – Dementia (CHABA-D), adapted from the CHABA (Hastings, 1997) and findings examined in the context of attributional shift post-training. Additionally the internal reliability of the CHABA-D was measured using Cronbach’s alpha.
Results: The scale was found to have good internal reliability and analysis indicated that participants made more psychological attributions regarding the cause of distressed behaviour both before training and on course completion, although there was no increase in the number of psychological attributions made following training. Additionally, participants demonstrated increased awareness of learned behaviour, physical environment, and activity and stimulation as causal factors in the development of distressed behaviour in individuals with dementia following training.
Future directions: Further research is on-going to evaluate the effects of training on clinical practice, focusing on evaluating the impact on prescribing of anti-psychotic medication for distressed behaviour exhibited by individuals with dementia.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: dementia, distressed behaviour, staff training, attributions
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Evans, Professor Jon and Whitnall, Dr. Leigh
• Date of Award: 2013
• Depositing User: Dr Sally McVicar
• Unique ID: glathesis:2013-4691
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2013 09:53
• Last Modified: 31 Jan 2014 09:48
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/4691