Implementation of Modified Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in a youth psychiatric partial hospital program

ObjectiveSeclusion and restraint are procedures utilized in youth psychiatric settings. While a number of agencies have called for a reduction and ultimate elimination of the use of these practices, there has been limited research on behavioral programs to reduce seclusion/restraint. This is particularly true for research on behavioral programming in youth psychiatric partial hospital settings. As such, the current study sought to examine the effectiveness of a modified version of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (M-PBIS) implemented on a youth psychiatric partial hospital service to reduce seclusion/restraint.MethodThis naturalistic, prospective study covered a 26-month period and utilized a pre–post design. M-PBIS features include a defined set of positive behavioral expectations, a system to teach behavioral expectations, reinforcement of appropriate behaviors, data collection/evidence-based decision making, individual support for those not responding to the unit-wide system, active suppo...