A service evaluation measuring the effectiveness of ABC training on staff confidence in reporting ABCs and their understanding of the framework rationale

Abstract

The Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence (ABC) model is commonly used to document and analyse challenging behaviours within brain injury rehabilitation services. Data from these recordings can be utilised to implement Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) plans and inform effective support strategies to manage challenging behaviour. Therefore, it is pivotal that staff within these settings are adequately trained in recognising and reporting challenging behaviours and feel confident in their ability to do so. Currently, there is no existing literature that evidences the effect of ABC framework training on staff confidence in recognising and reporting challenging behaviours. In this service improvement project, nineteen staff members from a neurorehabilitation service completed one training session focusing on challenging behaviours and the ABC framework. Participants completed an eight item Likert scale questionnaire pre-training (immediately before training), post-training (immediately after training) and at a four-week follow-up to assess their self-perceived confidence in their knowledge around the ABC model, the rationale behind this framework and their ability to effectively complete an ABC report. Descriptive statistics and a repeated measures ANOVA were conducted to examine whether training had an effect on self-reported confidence scores. Findings revealed a significant effect of training on staff confidence, Wilks Lambda = 0.35, F (1,18) = 1252.42, p = .000, with an effect size of np2 = .98, with an increase in confidence post-training. This effect was also maintained at follow-up indicating that staff confidence was retained after a 4-week period.