Quality of Rapport as a Setting Event for Problem Behavior

Abstract

Relationship quality (rapport) between people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers has long been suggested as an important variable influencing the likelihood of problem behavior. However, to date, the association between rapport and problem behavior has not been systematically investigated. The authors evaluated a multimethod strategy for assessing rapport and then used the assessment information to develop a multicomponent intervention for problem behavior. In Study 1, a descriptive assessment was carried out in which rapport was operationally defined, and good and poor rapport dyads consisting of staff members and participants were identified. Then, a functional analysis of each participant's problem behavior was conducted with respect to the interaction of two factors: quality of rapport and task demands. The results of the assessment study indicated that when rapport was poor, levels of problem behavior were high; when rapport was good, levels of problem behavior were low. In Study 2, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention package designed to improve rapport between the person with disabilities and his or her caregiver. When rapport improved, participants showed a decrease in problem behavior and an increase in task completion in the presence of staff members who had previously been identified as having poor rapport with participants. The multidimensional nature of rapport assessment, as well as the unique contribution that rapport-building can make to multicomponent intervention, are discussed.