Positive Behavior Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing amount of research examining behavioral interventions within youth psychiatric inpatient settings. Strategies to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors are widely accepted as a critical component of caring for children in any setting, including inpatient psychiatric units. However, these settings present many unique challenges and obstacles to be considered when adapting evidence-based behavior management strategies and programs. This chapter will present key components of research-supported approaches to positive strategies for preventing and intervening with negative, challenging behaviors among highly acute populations, as well as suggestions for assessing efficacy and other outcomes and addressing barriers to implementation and sustained fidelity.