Green, C. W., Gardner, S. M., & Reid, D. H. (1997).
Increasing indices of happiness among people with profound multiple disabilities: A program replication and component analysis.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
30, 217-228.
We replicated a program to increase indices of happiness among
people with profound multiple disabilities and conducted a
component analysis of the program. The program involved
presentation and contingent withdrawal of stimuli that had been
identified as preferred based on preference assessments and staff
opinion. The program was implemented with 3 adult students and
was accompanied by increased happiness indices for each student.
Subsequent implementation of the two types of stimuli indicated
that preferred stimuli based on preference assessments were more
consistently accompanied by increased happiness indices than were
preferred stimuli based on staff opinion. Social validity
measures supported the definition of happiness, in that raters'
subjective opinions of the students' happiness coincided with the
observed happiness indices. Results are discussed regarding the
importance and practical implications of using preference
assessments for determining stimuli for increasing happiness
indices. Future research areas are suggested, focusing on
increasing happiness and other quality-of-life indicators during
the daily routines of people with profound disabilities.
DESCRIPTORS: happiness, profound multiple disabilities, quality of
life