A Comparison of two Methods of Teaching Behaviour Modification to Mental Handicap Nurses

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment, carried out with 24 subjects in a matched groups design, was to evaluate two alternative forms of nurse training in behaviour modification. Knowledge, attitude and a simulated applied measure were administered before and after two 3-day workshops with a structured interview at 6-month follow-up. The knowledge and applied measures indicated significant improvements in the “active” group only. There were no significant changes on the attitude measure for any of the four groups. Follow-up data provided criterion validity for the simulated applied measure and also suggested that nurses had retained their knowledge of behaviour modification.