Child functional analytic psychotherapy

• Grant number: 14/04297-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Sonia Beatriz Meyer
• Grantee: Rodrigo Nunes Xavier
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Child Behavioral-Analytic Therapy may direct its interventions to behaviors that occur in daily life settings or to the therapeutic relationship. The Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a clinical approach which states that functional analysis of interactions between client and therapist is the foundation of the best interventions given the outpatient setting limitations. Although FAP is obtaining empirical validation of its original version, its adaptation to the child context lacks empirical evaluation. Thus, the aim of this research is to show that FAP interventions can be added to enhance children treatment. Therefore, at least two children with complaints that may happen in the therapeutic interaction context (e.g., oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder) will participate of this study. An ABAB or reversal experimental design where behavioral interventions that do not involve the direct shaping of clinically relevant behaviors will be undertaken in "A" phases and interventions where FAP will be added, in "B" phases. Behavioral problems and progresses of clients inside and outside of session will be assessed throughout the study. Thus, the FAP will be the experimental variable and the clients target behaviors, the observed variables. Psychotherapy sessions will be coded using the Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Rating Scale (FAPRS) to check the therapist's adherence to FAP in experimental phases and to monitor in-session clients target behaviors frequency. Monitoring tools of clients progresses and problems out-of-session will be chosen (e.g., diary cards, calendars etc.). Significant changes in clinically relevant behaviors and out-of-session target behaviors frequencies (specifically problems reduction and progresses increasing) at experimental phases will be interpreted as an evidence of FAP as a successfully additional intervention strategy to child Behavioral-Analytic Therapy. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

XAVIER, Rodrigo Nunes. Eficácia da psicoterapia analítica funcional para o transtorno de oposição desafiante: Experimento de caso único. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Psicologia (IP/SBD) São Paulo.