Effects of Training Staff in MBPBS on the Use of Physical Restraints, Staff Stress and Turnover, Staff and Peer Injuries, and Cost Effectiveness in Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Some individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in community group homes occasionally engage in low-frequency, but high-intensity, aggressive behavior. Over time, staff members assigned to manage the aggressive behaviors of these individuals are repeatedly injured, have to take time off work, become highly stressed, and eventually find alternative employment. In this study, we provided a 7-day intensive Mindfulness-Based Positive Behavior Support (MBPBS) training to staff from three group homes and measured the effects of such training on their use of verbal redirection and physical restraint, staff stress levels and turnover, staff and peer injuries, and benefit-cost analyses. When compared to baseline measures, results showed clinically and statistically significant reductions in the use of verbal redirection, complete disuse of physical restraints within a few weeks of MBPBS training, and cessation of staff and peer injuries. In addition, there was a significant reduction in staff stress and zero staff turnover. Finally, benefit-cost analysis showed substantial financial savings due to staff participation in the MBPBS program. This study adds to the extant research suggestive of mindfulness-based interventions being effective in reducing the use of restraints, decreasing staff stress, and providing financial savings to the service providers of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Mindfulness, Stress and Well-Being in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

“…This parallels previous research indicating that in addition to the almost immediate physiological and psychological outcomes of mindfulness meditation, extended practice further increases the benefits of the procedure (Baron Short et al 2010;BrefczynskiLewis et al 2007;Lykins and Baer 2009). Conversely, whilst extended practice may be considered best practice, Singh et al (2014a) demonstrated the potential impact of only 7 days of intensive MBPBS in training staff caring for individuals with developmental disabilities. Not only did MBPBS produce positive results for carers, and for the individuals that they were caring for, these researchers were also able to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of the procedure within a 40 week time frame.…”

“…However, further research on this is clearly warranted. Systematic replications examining Mindful Parenting and child mindfulness effects in parallel, perhaps including physiological measures of the effects of the intervention and of Singh et al (2014a) Mindfulness-Based Positive Behavior Support (MBPBS) study through examining the cost benefits of such training with parents and carers of children with ASD would strengthen this evidence base substantially.…”

“…The design of the mindfulness-based intervention utilised in each study was benchmarked against the MBSR program as one index of the fidelity of the program. One study exceeded the 26 contact hours of program delivery of the MBSR program; with a total of 36 contact hours with participants (Benn et al 2012 (Singh et al 2006;2014a). Four studies reported between 12 and 18 contact hours with participants (Blackledge and Hayes 2006;Ferraioli and Harris 2013;Kowalkowski 2012;RuizRobledillo et al 2014) and two studies reported that participants engaged in \12 contact hours (Hahs 2013a, b).…”

Staff Absenteeism in Public Health Facilities of Uganda: A Study in Bushenyi District on Contributing Factors

“…Secondly the facilities in charges are not given any administrative allowances thus felt demotivated. This study agrees with [24] [25]. One thing that could help retain employees and help decrease absenteeism is employee recognition programs [26].…”

Effects of mindfulness, coping styles and resilience on job retention and burnout in caregivers supporting aggressive adults with developmental disabilities

“…), a meditation‐based approach that emphasises combining meditation with mindfulness, yoga and body awareness to cope with pain and stressors; and mindfulness‐based positive behaviour supports (Singh et al . ; Singh et al . ), which target mindful approaches to responding to problem behaviour in care recipients with DD.…”