Presence of Hand Test Indices of Aggressive Behavior for Mentally Retarded Adults on Behavior Management Programs for Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

Hand Test protocols of 24 institutionalized (18 men, 6 women) mentally retarded adults who were currently on structured behavior management programs for the control of violent and destructive behavior were inspected to determine the presence of two purported indicants of violent and destructive acting-out behavior, i.e., Acting-Out-Score (AOS) and Movement-Content response (ACT-MOV). Of the 24 cases, 19 contained 1 or more of the Hand Test signs of violent and destructive behavior. Implications of results were discussed.