Identifying Current Practices and Supports in Behaviour Management Following ABI in South Australian Community Settings: A Delphi Study

Objectives: To consider the strategies currently used by family care givers to manage challenging behaviour in the community following ABI, and to identify what supports are available that support family care givers in addressing this issue. 

Research design: Delphi study. 

Methods: Service providers (n = 8) and family care givers (n = 3) completed a three-round Delphi process with the aim of reaching consensus (75% agreement) regarding research objectives. Round 1 consisted of an open-ended questionnaire in which items were identified; these items were then rated in Round 2 and 3 using a Likert scale. Statistical aggregation then allowed for quantitative analysis. 

Results: The findings suggest a number of behaviour management approaches are being used by family care givers, including basic antecedent strategies, agreeing with the person's demands, and medication. Consensus was reached that only two services in SA provide specific support to family care givers regarding behaviour management in the community: Families4Families Inc. (a peer support network) and Private Specialists (e.g., [neuro]psychologists and [neuro]psychiatrists). 

Conclusions: Findings emphasise the need for more specialised services specific to educating and supporting family care givers in the management of challenging behaviours following ABI. These services should be accessible, centralised, and easy for family care givers to navigate.