Biomedical subjects

J L Matson

Publications and source records attributed to J L Matson.

134 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

The convergent validity of the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for individuals with Severe Retardation (MESSIER).

The convergent validity of the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Persons with Severe Retardation (MESSIER) was examined. We administered the MESSIER and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) to 892 individuals with severe and profound mental retardation residing in a residential state facility. The MESSIER subscales were compared to equivalent subdomains from the VABS that have been demonstrated through research to be both reliable and valid. Significant positive correlations were found between corresponding MESSIER subscales and VABS subdomains on social behaviors. The findings also indicated that this pattern of positive correlation remained constant when comparing both verbal and nonverbal social behaviors. The implications and clinical utility of the findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects Scale (MEDS).

The potential negative effects of psychoactive medication are well documented. Given the high rate of their use in persons with mental retardation, the need to assess and identify these negative effects is great. The Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS) was designed to evaluate commonly identified side effects with a psychometrically sound checklist. The initial psychometric properties of this scale are presented and discussed. An examination of interrater reliability and internal consistency revealed that the MEDS has excellent consistency across raters and good internal consistency. Potential uses for the scale and directions for future research are reviewed as well.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A validity study on the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF) Scale: predicting treatment success for self-injury, aggression, and stereotypies.

We investigated the validity of the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF), a checklist designed to assess antecedent behavior, using a sample of 398 persons with mental retardation and a targeted maladaptive behavior of self-injurious behavior, aggression, or stereotypies. The QABF was used successfully to derive clear behavioral functions for most individuals (84%) across all three target behaviors. Further, subjects with treatments developed from functional assessment (QABF results) improved significantly when compared to controls receiving standard treatments not based on functional analysis. Implications of the present findings for assessing and treating maladaptive behaviors are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An evaluation of functional variables affecting severe problem behaviors in adults with mental retardation by using the Questions about Behavioral Function Scale (QABF).

We examined the functions of five severe problem behaviors in a sample of 417 institutionalized persons with mental retardation by using the Questions About Behavior Function Scale. The behaviors we examined included self-injurious behavior, aggression, stereotypies, pica, and rumination. The most common function for all behaviors except aggression was nonsocial. Aggression, however, was maintained by external environmental contingencies. Particular items of the Questions About Behavior Function Scale were identified as more frequently occurring and critical in ascertaining behavioral function. Implications of these results for developing more effective treatment plans are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of depression as assessed by the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped-II (DASH-II).

Fifty-seven individuals with severe and profound mental retardation (18 with a DSM-IV diagnosis of depression, 19 with a Diagnostic Statistical Manual, 4th edition diagnosis of autism, and 20 who meet no criteria for an emotional disorder) were studied. The validity of the Diagnostic Assessment for the Severely Handicapped II depression subscale was evaluated to determine its value in categorizing individuals in these two groups. Suggestions were made for diagnosing depression in persons with severe and profound mental retardation. In a second study the above individuals were compared on symptomology to assess comorbidity with related symptoms. These "core," peripheral, or associated features of depression were identified. Implications of the findings for describing and defining depression in these persons are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The development of a reinforcer choice assessment scale for persons with severe and profound mental retardation.

Reinforcement is a cornerstone for treating adaptive skills and eliminating problem behaviors for persons evincing mental retardation. To effectively use reinforcement, professionals must find reinforcers that are most effective for each individual. Establishing reinforcers is particularly important for persons functioning in the severe and profound ranges of mental retardation as reinforcers are often difficult to identify in this population. The current study aimed at developing a reinforcer rating scale that-would have applicability on a broad clinical basis, looking specifically at the psychometric properties of the scale.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship of self-injurious behavior and aggression to social skills in persons with severe and profound learning disability.

In this study, we investigated differences in social skills among four groups of individuals with severe and profound learning disabilities. The comparison groups were composed of individuals engaging in self-injurious behavior, aggression, both behaviors, or neither of the behaviors. We measured social skills using the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals with Severe Retardation, a standardized assessment of social skills in persons with severe or profound learning disability. The results indicated that individuals displaying maladaptive behaviors exhibited a restricted range of social behaviors compared to controls. Also, group membership based on self-injury and aggression was predicted based on profiles of scores on the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals with Severe Retardation. These findings are consistent with reports in other studies that note social skills deficits in aggressive and self-injurious persons with learning disabilities. However, in this case a standardized assessment of these deficits was possible and specific skills problems were identified. Implications of the findings for identification and treatment of self-injury and aggression are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Side effect profiles of atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotics, or no psychotropic medications in persons with mental retardation.

Antipsychotic medications have been used to treat a variety of behavioral and psychiatric disturbances in persons with mental retardation. Given the well-documented side effects of traditional antipsychotics, newer "atypical" antipsychotics have been well received in this population due to initial reports of a more favorable side effect profile. We compared the side effect profiles of both the typical and atypical antipsychotics using a comprehensive instrument, the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS) scale. Participants taking atypical antipsychotics did not differ in overall side effects from a matched control group taking no psychotropic medication, and both groups showed significantly fewer overall side effects than participants taking typical antipsychotics. Subscales designed to measure involuntary movements (e.g., akathisia, tardive dyskinesia) detected differences between participants taking either atypical or typical antipsychotics with respect to akathisia only. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Akathisia, Drug-Induced↗