The previous research into training normotensives to control their blood pressure via biofeedback is reviewed. Beginning with the early ‘Harvard’ studies, methodological limitations are apparent in many of the ‘accepted’ reports. Issues of type and incidence of feedback, systolic vs. diastolic pressures, and number of training sessions necessary to achieve success are discussed, leading to a summary of the relevant research from the viewpoint of methodological considerations including: adequacy of adaptation and baseline periods, confounding of reward with feedback, use of post-tests and follow-ups, and generalisation of training to stressful situations. Several areas for future research are raised for discussion.

Chronic headache sufferers (N = 133) were assessed for Type A behaviour pattern using the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS). The Type A score frequency distribution for all headache subjects combined, and each headache type separately were examined. Median scores of the all subjects combined group fell into the indeterminate range of Type A scores, that is, neither Type A or Type B. This was also the case for migraine and tension sufferers. Mixed subject's scores fell into the range of scores usually classified as Type A. Forty-five percent of the mixed subjects fit the criteria for Type A behaviour pattern. Follow-up bivariate and multivariate analysis using J AS subscale scores as independent predictors and headache activity scores, from daily diaries, as dependent variables revealed only three correlations which approached significance. These results argue against a clear linear relationship between chronic headache and Type A behaviour pattern. There may be some utility in this construct when differentiated by headache type.

This paper presents a quantitative description of the activity of the Australian Behaviour Modification Association, as reflected in conference presentations from 1978 to 1987 and publications in Behaviour Change from its inception to 1988. The results reveal a number of pleasing and displeasing aspects of behavioural research and other activities over the past ten years. These findings are discussed with reference to the next decade, with specific suggestions for directions and priorities.

Two ‘individual’ variables (level of imagery, locus of control) were investigated for their effects upon subjects' ability to learn and generalise downward control of blood pressure via biofeedback procedures. Also investigated was the effect of visual numerical feedback versus no-feedback combined with instructions. Subjects were volunteers with normal blood pressure who were randomly assigned to feedback of systolic blood pressure, feedback of diastolic blood pressure or no-feedback under an interrupted time-series design which consisted of an adaptation period, baseline, training, rest, and post-test (generalisation of task without feedback). Results indicated that neither of the two ‘individual’ variables was associated with any significant reductions of blood pressure within either the training or generalisation periods. Feedback was negatively associated with training effects. Findings are discussed in terms of the ease of comprehension of numerical feedback of a fluctuating variable, with suggestions for future research using fine-grained and stable measures of cardiac performance.

Very few attempts to enhance children's social competence have incorporated both cognitive and overt skill components. A case is made for the importance of cognitive influences upon children's social functioning. These include not only social-cognitive skills such as social perception, social problem solving and self monitoring but also the role of maladaptive cognitive events which interfere with adequate social response. Evidence concerning the importance of social-cognitive skills is discussed and the need for an integrated cognitive-behavioural approach in children's social enhancement programs is highlighted.

Sport psychology interventions generally derive from strategies developed in clinical contexts. This paper describes the use of a graded hierarchy, with fading of response induction aids at each step, in treating avoidance behaviour arising in a sporting context. A twelve-year-old gymnast was treated for a simple phobia following a fall.

Since the helping professions are not immune to current conditions of economic stringency, effective treatments that require reduced therapist contact should be seriously considered. A selective review of the literature is presented, and it is concluded that minimal intervention is more cost effective particularly for less severe problems. Issues related to the nature of minimal intervention therapy are discussed.

The prevention of cardiovascular disease in at risk persons poses a major challenge to behavioural health educators. Previous research on the development of reliable methods for teaching such people to control their blood pressure, thereby avoiding the development of essential hypertension and associated health dangers, has been reviewed elsewhere (Mullins & Sharpley, 1988). Data from previous studies are inconclusive, principally due to major methodological limitations in that research, but also because of failure to focus upon generalisation and maintenance to the real world of the subject. Several issues for future research are discussed in the present paper, with some specific suggestions made regarding dependent and independent variables, experimental design, subject population and procedure.

The effects of a token program implemented in the home by a teacher were examined. The effects of a home token program were evaluated using a multiple baseline design across reading, spelling and handwriting lessons while disruptive behaviour was recorded. The results indicated that inappropriate behaviours decreased when the token program was implemented. Follow-up data indicated some increase in inappropriate behaviours. Spelling performance was higher in the student's classroom during the token program in the home than during baseline. This indicated some generalisation from the home token program to academic responding in the classroom.

Attitudes of staff responsible for the implementation of behavioural programs toward the collection of data were assessed. A questionnaire was devised to evaluate three aspects of attitude towards data collection: perceived importance and/or usefulness of information gained, practical feasibility of data collection and professional support aspects of data collection. Seven items were pooled to generate an Attitude Score which was found to have high reliability and internal consistency. The remaining individually considered items were also reliable. Responses from 191 subjects indicated an overall positive attitude towards data collection. Theoretical and methodological problems are addressed and suggestions for further study are made.

Measures of component behaviour have been put forward as valid and reliable predictors of social competency. This study assessed the consistency of verbal and nonverbal component behaviours across situations and time. Thirty-seven people participated in an informal conversation with a confederate and a mock job interview with a second confederate. This scenario was repeated three weeks later. Social competency ratings were obtained from the confederates and subsequently from two observers along with specific measures of nine component behaviours. While nonverbal component behaviours were quite consistent across settings and time, verbal behaviours were less so, although none consistently predicted competency ratings across settings and time. Subjects who received high competency ratings were found to behave more variably across settings than those who received low ratings. The findings support the notion that evaluation of social skills training will require measurement of functionally equivalent, rather than topographically defined, classes of behaviour.

This case report describes the successful treatment of a five year-old girl with phobic reactions to thunderstorms. Treatment consisted of six components: self-statements; positive reinforcement; peer modelling; exposure to a videotape of a weather report and exposure to an audiotape of storms; and, exposure to a school weather project. Ratings of the girl's behaviour were provided independently by the girl's mother and her teacher at pre- and post-treatment, and at a seven and twelve month follow-up. These ratings showed a decrease in fear behaviour at the end of treatment, and this decrease was maintained over the follow-up period.

Clients who are unable to attend regular therapy sessions over an extended period present a challenge for treatment. This paper describes a brief intensive program of cognitive therapy for depression that was designed for four residents of country towns. Effects were highly consistent with the impact of group treatments delivered on a more traditional schedule. If confirmed in a controlled group study, these results suggest that cognitive therapy may be applied more economically and more widely than was previously realized.

In this study a visual screening procedure and a forced arm training procedure were compared within an alternating treatments design in terms of their effects in reducing self-injury in an intellectually disabled boy. Visual screening was found to be clearly the superior procedure, producing a marked decrease in the rate of self-injury. Subsequent experimental phases combined visual screening first with toy play training and then with contingent social interaction. Further marked decreases in self-injury occurred, which remained in evidence at a four month follow-up. Generalisation data were obtained from both morning and afternoon sessions. Collateral behaviour change was monitored in both treatment and generalisation sessions, generally indicating increases in neutral behaviours and reductions in self-stimulatory behaviours accompanying reductions in self-injury. Implications of these results for examining the wider physical and social contexts in which self-injury occurs were noted.

Primary nocturnal enuresis in a nine-year-old boy with Down's Syndrome was treated successfully with an enuresis alarm. A criterion of four consecutive dry weeks was reached after fourteen weeks and the child remained dry at six-month and twelve-month follow-up. Treatment included a gradual withdrawal phase. The study replicates others showing that a simple ‘bell and pad’ procedure can suffice. Client, family and procedural variables associated with success and failure of alarm treatments are discussed.

Cognitive-behavioural group treatment programs for agoraphobia were held over a sixteen-month period, and waiting lists were generated. Retrospective analysis of the data revealed the apparent importance for attrition of such factors as the availability of helpers and the timing of treatment programs. Suggestions are offered to reduce waiting list attrition.

A 32-year-old man with a 10-year history of psychogenic urinary frequency was treated using a two-stage behavioural intervention. Stage 1 comprised urinary retention training, which led to a marked reduction in urinary frequency. Stage 2 employed retention training, in vivo desensitization and cognitive restructuring, resulting in a reduction of phobic avoidance and a decrease in self-reported social anxiety. Gains were maintained at two- and ten-month follow-ups. The results suggest that the introduction of retention training prior to counterconditioning leads to a rapid resolution of pollakiuretic behaviour when anxiety is implicated as a mediating factor.

Past research on interpersonal relationships and schizophrenia has typically focused on the relationships between clients and their families. However, many ex-patients live in other settings, such as boarding houses and hostels, where their main contact is with other residents. This paper represents a preliminary demonstration of a program to reduce levels of negative communication within two hostels, using a multiple baseline design. The intervention comprised a seven-session group program that was adapted from a psychoeducational family approach. Negative communication within hostels was measured in a brief interview with each resident. Results showed a marginally significant effect of the program on critical comments within the interviews.

We examined the use of a guided compliance procedure for increasing compliance with occupational and household tasks in community dwelling, mildly retarded adults. Two clients were admitted to an inpatient unit and were observed in a training room and a behaviour unit setting. In both settings, the clients were requested to engage in a number of occupational and household tasks, similar or identical to tasks they confront in the community. Training consisted of contingent praise for compliance, and physical guidance, applied contingent upon occurrences of noncompliance. Data were collected on compliance, aggression, verbal abuse, and proper application of the training procedure. Training was conducted in a multiple baseline across the two settings. These preliminary results suggest that guided compliance was successful in increasing compliance, with only a minimal and transitory increase in aggression and verbal abuse observed for one client, predominantly in the early phase of training. Largely anecdotal follow-up data suggest that the effect generalised to the community and maintained for at least five months.