Applied Behavioral Research (United States)

Racism in the United States has constituted transgenerational legacies of trauma for people of African descent. Scholars have highlighted the immense emotional and psychological consequences of race-based traumatic stress; yet a complete understanding of the impact of historical trauma for African Americans is hampered by the lack of instrumentation for use in quantitative methodologies. We thus sought to develop psychometrically sound instruments to better understand impacts derived from the injury of enslavement and ongoing racial traumas and the resulting emotional impacts of historical losses due to racism. Data were collected from two samples during exploratory (N = 467) and confirmatory (N = 449) factor analysis phases of the development of two measures assessing historical losses and trauma responses, respectively. Historical Loss Scale items assess the frequency in which participants find themselves thinking about the history of societal, economic, and cultural devastation of racism. These items include emphasis on disintegrations of familial and community structures as well as losses associated with modern-day injustices. Trauma Response Scale items evaluate grief and trauma responses and feelings of empowerment and reclamation. Additional data were collected to examine evidence of construct and incremental validity. Implications for the use of the scales for research and psychological practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

ABSTRACT Front‐line staff are required to implement procedures meant to support those learners who require behavior analytic services. The extent to which they can implement procedures created is called procedural fidelity. The present study used a multiple baseline design across participants to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral skills training in identifying correct instances of procedural fidelity by Registered Behavior Technicians. Participants identified correct and incorrect procedural components of discrete trial training. Following behavioral skills training, participants were able to detect both errors and instances of correct procedural implementation. Precision teaching components may have aided in the retention of previously learned skills by front‐line staff in the field of applied behavior analysis.

Abstract To uncover the developmental processes that establish the precise patterns of synaptic connectivity in the CNS, we employed a connectomic approach in the mouse cerebellar cortex between birth and 2 weeks of age. There were dramatic quantitative and qualitative changes in the structure and connectivity of cerebellar cells. Parallel fiber synapses onto Purkinje cells increased ∼500-fold, with the most rapid growth taking place a week after birth. To support this profound synaptogenesis, Purkinje cells generated thousands of transient parallel fiber-oriented filopodia that received nascent synapses from parallel fibers. Importantly, we find that granule cells initiate synaptic output onto Purkinje cells only after receiving mossy fiber input, revealing a sequential, input-dependent logic for circuit assembly. In sharp contrast to the concurrent pruning of climbing fiber inputs, parallel fiber connectivity expanded and became highly individualized during development. Despite anatomical overlap, neighboring Purkinje cells share significantly fewer parallel fiber inputs than expected by chance. Moreover, parallel fibers themselves diverged spatially, further enforcing selective input allocation and resulting in highly specific parallel fiber cohorts for each Purkinje cell. Our findings uncover a mechanistic sequence in which early afferent activity and transient cellular structures guide the selective wiring and expansion of parallel fiber input to Purkinje cells, establishing developmental principles that ensure functional specificity in the mature brain.

Older age is a major risk factor for many neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease. While there are limited treatment options for improving memory in this population, research has shown that special psychotherapeutic modalities like Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), especially when coupled with psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation(PSR and VCR respectively), benefit older adults. This study examines the availability of these services in US mental health (MH) facilities serving older adults and compares the characteristics of the facilities providing these services. Our study includes 1216 MH facilities using the 2022 National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS) data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Descriptive statistics were used to determine availabilities, while multivariable logistic regression was used to compare facilities that offer the services compared to those that do not. Of the total facilities included, 78 (6%), 634 (52%), and 381 (31%) offered CRT, PSR, and VCR respectively. Facilities that provided only MH services compared to those providing substance use and MH services, those that offer special services for veterans, and special Alzheimer's programs compared to those that do notwere more likely to have CRT services. MH facilities that provide supplemental employment services, housing services and recovery housing were more likely to offer PSR and VCR compared to those that do not. Compared to facilities in Midwest states, facilities in East South-Central were less likely to offer PSR and VCR. This study highlights the relative unavailability of CRT, indicating a need for more interest in evidence-based nonpharmacological treatment options for cognitive decline in the aging population.

When migrating to a new country, there is often a need to learn a new language and find a job. In Sweden, in an effort to meet this need, a type of work-integrated language learning program, called combination courses, with the idea that students learn the language and a vocation simultaneously, is initiated. In this article, such a combination course, centring around the Swedish language as well as cleaning skills and providing apprenticeship workplace placements for the students, is studied. Using a boundary crossing lens to analyse the ethnographical data, consisting of 65 hours of observations, this case study analyses the boundary practices created by one workplace supervisor. The results show that the supervisor establishes a boundary crossing practice that comprises around two hours of theoretical studies for the student each day he spends on the practice, and over time, this boundary practice becomes more and more similar to schoolwork. This boundary practice provides the student with plenty of language learning affordances. It emphasises both oral and written communication, giving the student the opportunity to refine both during the practice. The experiences gained from this work-integrated language learning program provide valuable insights into the supervising practice involved when students are expected to learn both the language and the vocation simultaneously.

The Montessori method applied in nursing homes is a person-centered approach targeting the enhancement of autonomy, well-being, and quality of life for older adults with dementia. Despite its potential in the aging field, its operationalization remains unclear in the context of institutionalization. This study aims to outline the method's components and adoption factors using a behavior change intervention framework among professionals from a French institution demonstrating a high level of method application. We employed a qualitative descriptive approach based on thematic analysis. Nine professionals from the same institution underwent a semi-structured individual interview within the facility. The findings were modeled using the Behavior Change Intervention Ontology. We obtained a final framework defining the intervention, mechanisms of action, exposure, contextual factors, and behavioral outcomes. The method is based on values, principles, and techniques such as facilitation, choice, meaningful activities, environmental adjustments, and specific tools. Applied continuously to residents, families, and professionals, its implementation is influenced by several contextual factors leading to practice changes at various levels. This study constitutes both a theoretical and practical contribution, providing a better definition of the method and the key factors influencing its appropriation.

Background Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) represent a diverse pediatric population requiring healthcare services beyond typical childhood needs. This study analyzes data from the 2016-2020 National Survey of Children's Health Database to elucidate demographic patterns, prevalence rates, and nuanced factors influencing the health and well-being of CSHCN. Methods This retrospective observational study focuses on children aged 0-17 who are identified as CSHCN based on Maternal and Child Health Bureau criteria. A comprehensive analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) database examines key variables, including health outcomes, healthcare utilization, parental-reported health status, and socio-demographic factors. Stratified random sampling ensures national representation. Results The study encompassed 40,335 patients, revealing that 14.6% (CI: 14.0-15.3, n=6,445) of CSHCN received care in a well-functioning system. Across age groups, 19.1% (CI: 14.0-15.3, n=6,445) of CSHCN aged 0-5 received ongoing treatment, contrasting with 5.7% (CI: 5.2-6.2, n=1,599) in the 12-17 years group. Males exhibited a prevalence of 15% (CI: 14.1-15.9, n=3,674), and females had 14.2% (CI: 13.2-15.2, n=2,771). Racial disparities were noted; non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander children had a 3% (CI: 1.1-8.1, n=6) prevalence. Across Federal Poverty Level categories, prevalence ranged from 12.5% (CI: 11.5-13.6, n=1,753) to 17.7% (CI: 16.6-18.9, n=2,856). Notably, 18.5% (CI: 17.4-19.7, n=3,515) of children without adverse experiences were CSHCN. Among CSHCN in two-parent currently married households, 15.9% (CI: 15.0-16.8, n=4,330) received treatment, while those in unmarried households had a prevalence of 12.9% (CI: 10.5-15.7, n=335). CSHCN with parents born in the United Statesshowed a prevalence of 15.4% (CI: 14.7-16.1, n=5,257). Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and demographic patterns of CSHCN. Limitations include potential recall bias and the retrospective study design. Despite these constraints, the findings lay a foundation for future research and targeted interventions, fostering a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of pediatric healthcare in the United States.

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between per capita income and COVID-19 cases in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties of Florida, USA. BackgroundLow socioeconomic status predisposes individuals to worse health outcomes. For example, during the 2003 SARS-CoV pandemic and the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic disadvantaged individuals were more likely to become infected. More recently, a study found that deaths due to COVID-19 were associated with disadvantaged areas across the United States. South Florida, in particular Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, has experienced a significant burden of coronavirus cases. Investigating the association of income on coronavirus cases in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties may aid in identifying and treating those individuals at increased risk. MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study used data gathered by the Florida Department of Health and 2018 U.S. Census. COVID-19 cases from March 2 - November 1, 2020 were tallied by ZIP code in Florida’s Broward and Miami-Dade Counties and scaled per housing unit. An exhaustive regression analysis using County “Miami-Dade” or “Broward,” sex, race, ethnicity, median age, and estimated per capita income was performed for each combination of independent variables in MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, USA). Regression models were evaluated using both adjusted R-squared and the Akaike Information Criterion, along with the number of significant predictors. The most optimal model with the highest number of significant predictors was selected.ResultsAmong all other variables, sex, race, and ethnicity as the variables that best predicted COVID-19 cases per housing unit within a certain ZIP code. The adjusted R-squared of this optimal model was 0.5062, indicating that within each ZIP code in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties 50.62% of the variance in COVID-19 cases per housing unit can be explained by these variables. A significant relationship was found between the number of COVID-19 cases and individuals who were Black or African American (p < 0.001), individuals who were Hispanic or Latino (p < 0.001), and male to female ratio (p = 0.016). Per capita income, age, and county were not statistically significant predictors in any model tested.ConclusionsRacial and gender disparities may be more significant contributors to COVID-19 cases than per capita income in housing units. Based on the results of this study, investigators may consider applying this model to similar variables in order to inform the management and prevention of cases in the present and future pandemics.