Cited by 190Behavioral and Psychological StudiesDown syndrome and intellectual disability researchAutism Spectrum Disorder Research

The form and function of challenging behaviours

Emerson, E., Bromley, J.·1995·Journal of Intellectual Disability Research

Abstract

Aspects of the topography and behavioural function underlying the challenging behaviours of all people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour (n = 70) in a defined geographical area were investigated. Results indicated that: (1) more severe challenging behaviours were shown by people with more severe disabilities; (2) a significant minority (44%) of people showed more than one form of challenging behaviour, this rising to 79% among people with more severe challenging behaviours; and (3) cross-sectional analyses revealed specific clusters of problematic, aggressive and self-injurious behaviours. Analysis of information derived from the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) indicated that (5) the most common functions of challenging behaviours appeared to be 'self-stimulation' (for self-injury, destructiveness and 'other' challenging behaviours) and securing the attention of carers (for aggressive behaviours). However, (6) parametric analyses failed to identify any consistent relationships between the form and function of an individual's challenging behaviour for aggressive, destructiveness and 'other' challenging behaviours, but (7) clients with self-injurious behaviour were significantly more likely to score highly on the 'self-stimulation' sub-scale than other sub-scales of the MAS. Finally, (8) significant consistency of behavioural functions across different forms of challenging behaviours shown by the same individual were found for the two combinations of aggressive-destructive behaviours and self-injury-'other' behaviours.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-2788.1995.tb00543.x

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Authors
Emerson, E., & Bromley, J.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
Corresponding author
Emerson, E.
Venue
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1995-10
Volume
39
Issue
5
Pages
388-398
ISSN
  • 0964-2633 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2788
OpenAlex
W2024405530
Cited by
190
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
FWCI
6.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Keywords
behavioral problems, learning disabilities, self-harm, aggression, destructive behavior, self-stimulation, attention seeking, Motivation Assessment Scale, disability severity
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Adolescent, Adult, Aggression, Child, Child, Preschool, Cross-Sectional Studies, England, Female, Humans, Male, Intellectual Disability, Middle Aged, Personality Assessment, Self Stimulation, Social Behavior Disorders, Social Environment, Comorbidity, Incidence, Self-Injurious Behavior

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