Skip to main content
Log in

Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analyses on Challenging Problem Behavior: a Single-Case Meta-analysis

  • Review Paper
  • Published:
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to conduct a thorough review of the literature on the interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis (IISCA) developed by (Hanley et al., Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 47:16–36, 2014)) and its subsequent treatment outcomes. A total of 39 articles were identified with 235 participants participating in 293 synthesized contingency analyses (SCAs) and 111 treatment evaluations. Results indicated that 95.56% of identified SCAs were reported to be differentiated. Similarly, reductions in problem behavior were seen in all 111 treatment analyses. Results of the current review, including effect size measures (i.e., Tau-U and Hedge’s g), indicate that the IISCA and function-based interventions developed from the results of IISCA produce statistically significant results. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [author initials], upon request.

References

References marked with an asterisk (*) indicate studies that were included in the review.

  • *Anderson, C. M., Weddle, S. A., Walsh, M. L., & Guglielmo, J. (2019). Investigation of functional analysis methodology in adult service programs to develop efficient and effective treatment approaches. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 3, 386-396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-019-00118-w

  • *Beaulieu, L., Van Nostrand, M. E., Williams, A. L., & Herscovitch, B. (2018). Incorporating interview-informed functional analyses into practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11, 385-389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0247-7

  • Beavers, G. A., Iwata, B. A., & Lerman, D. C. (2013). Thirty years of research on the functional analysis of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bormann, (2012) DigitizeIt (version 2.5) Retrieved from http://www.digitizeit.de/

  • *Boyle, M. A., Stamper, S. M., Donaldson, E. A., Curtis, K. S., Forck, K. L., Shrimplin, M. A., Barsness, A. C., & Oller, C. (2019). Functional communication training for multiple reinforcers: An evaluation of isolated control following a synthesized context. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12, 592-599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00320-7

  • Bruni, T. P., Drevon, D., Hixson, M., Wyse, R., Corcoran, S., & Fursa, S. (2017). The effects of functional behavior assessment on school-based interventions: A meta-analysis of single-case research. Psychology in the Scbools, 54(4), 351–369. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coffey, A. L., Shawler, L. A., Jessel, J., Nye, M. L., Bain, T. A., & Dorsey, M. F. (2020b). Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency analysis (IISCA): Novel interpretation and future directions. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 217–225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00348-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Coffey, A. L., Shawler, L. A., Jessel, J., Bain, T., Nye, M., & Dorsey, M. F. (2020a). Generality of the practical functional assessment and skill-based treatment among individuals with autism and mental health disorders. Behavior Interventions, 36, 298-314. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1755

  • Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Curtis, K. S., Forck, K. L., Boyle, M. A., Fudge, B. M., Speake, H. N., & Pauls, B. P. (2020). Evaluation of a trial-based interview informed synthesized contingency analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(2), 635-648. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.618

  • *Dowdy, A. & Tincani, M. (2020). Assessment and treatment of high-risk challenging behavior of adolescents with autism in an aquatic setting. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(1), 305-314. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.590

  • Falakfarsa, G., Brand, D., Jones, L., Godinez, E. S., Richardson, D. C., Hanson, R. J., Velazquez, S. D., & Wills, C. (2021). Treatment integrity reporting in Behavior Analysis in Practice 2008–2019. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(1), 443–453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00573-9

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • *Ferguson, J. L., Leaf, J. A., Cihon, J. H., Milne, C. M., Leaf, J. B., McEachin, J., & Leaf, R. (2020). Practical functional assessment: A case study replication and extension of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Education and Treatment of Children, 43, 171-185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-020-00015-1

  • *Fiani, T. & Jessel, J. (2022). Practical functional assessment and behavioral treatment of challenging behavior for clinically based outpatient services: A consecutive case series evaluation. Education and Treatment of Children. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-022-00071-9

  • *Fisher, W. W., Greer, B. D., Romani, P. W., Zangrillo, A. N., & Owen, T. M. (2016). Comparisons of synthesized and individual reinforcement contingencies during functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(3), 596-616. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.314

  • Gast, D. L., & Ledford, J. R. (Eds.). (2014). Single case research methodology: Applications in special education and behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Ghaemmaghami, M., Hanley, G. P., Jin, S. C., & Vanselow, N. R. (2015). Affirming control by multiple reinforcers via progressive treatment analysis. Behavioral Interventions, 31(1), 70-86. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1425

  • *Ghaemmaghami, M., Hanley, G. P., & Jessel, J. (2016). Contingencies promote delay tolerance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(3), 548-575. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.333

  • *Ghaemmaghami, M., Hanley, G. P., Jessel, J., & Landa, R. (2018). Shaping complex functional communication responses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(3), 502-520. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.468

  • *Gover, H. C. (2020). Practical functional assessment and treatment of pediatric food selectivity. (Publication No. 28773670) [Doctoral dissertation, Western New England University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

  • *Graley, D. N. (2019). Functional analyses: A comparison of isolated and synthesized contingencies. [Master’s Thesis, University of Kentucky]. Theses and Dissertations-Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education. https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2019.080

  • *Greer, B. D., Mitteer, D. R., Briggs, A. M., Fisher, W. W., and Sodawasser, A. J. (2020). Comparisons of standardized and interview-informed synthesized reinforcement contingencies relative to functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(1), 82-101

  • Gresham, F. M., Gansle, K. A., & Noell, G. H. (1993). Treatment integrity in applied behavior analysis with children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26(2), 257–263. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1993.26-257

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hanley, G. P. (2012). Functional assessment of problem behavior: Dispelling myths overcoming implementation obstacles, and developing new lore. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 5, 54–72. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391818

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & McCord, B. E. (2003). Functional analysis of problem behavior: A review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36(2), 147–185. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2003.36-147

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • *Hanley, G. P., Jin, C. S., Vanselow, N. R., & Hanratty, L. A. (2014). Producing meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism via synthesized analyses and treatments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47(1), 16-36. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.106

  • Heath, H., & Smith, R. G. (2019). Precursor behavior and functional analysis: A brief review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52(2), 804–810. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.571

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Helvey, C. I., & Van Camp, C. M. (2022). Further comparison of isolated and synthesized contingencies in functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(1), 154-168. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.890

  • *Herman, C., Healy, O., & Lydon, S. (2018). An interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis to inform the treatment of challenging behavior in a young child with autism. Developmental Neurohabilitation, 21(3), 202-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2018.1437839

  • *Holehan, K. M., Dozier, C. L., Diaz de Villegas, S. C., Jess, R. L., Goodard, K. S., & Foley, E. A. (2020). A comparison of isolated and synthesized contingencies in functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1559-1578. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.700

  • *Holehan, K. M. (2021). Further examination of isolated versus combined contingencies in functional analyses. (Publication No. 28713383) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Kanas]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

  • Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1994). Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 197–209. [Reprinted from Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2(3–20), pp. 10, 1982.1016/0270-4684(82)90003–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • *Jessel, J., Hanley, G. P., & Ghaemmaghami, M. (2016). Interview-informed synthesized contingency analyses: Thirty replications and reanalysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(3), 576-595. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.316

  • *Jessel, J., Hanley, G. P., Ghaemmaghami, M., & Metras, R. (2018a). An evaluation of the single-session interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis. Behavioral Interventions, 34(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1650

  • *Jessel, J., Ingvarsson, E. T., Metras, R., Kirk, H., & Whipple, R. (2018b). Achieving social significant reductions in problem behavior following the interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis: A summary of 25 outpatient applications. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(1), 130-157. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.436

  • *Jessel, J., Ingvarsson, E. T., Metras, R., Whipple, R., Kirk, H., & Solsbery, L. (2018c). Treatment of elopement following a latency-based interview-informed, synthesized contingency analysis. Behavioral Interventions, 33, 271-283. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1525

  • *Jessel, J., Metras, R., Hanley, G. P., Jessel, C., & Ingvarsson, E. T. (2020). Evaluating the boundaries of analystic efficiency and control: A consecutive controlled case series of 26 functional analyses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(1), 25-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.544

  • *Jessel, J., Rosenthal, D., Hanley, G. P., Rymill, L., Boucher, M. B., Howard, M., Perrin, J., & Lemos, F. M. (2021). On the occurrence of dangerous problem behavior during functional analysis: An evaluation of 30 applications. Behavior Modification, 46(4), 834-862. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455211010698

  • *Landa, R. K., Hanley, G. P., Gover, H. C., Rajaraman, A., & Ruppel, K. W. (2022). Understanding the effects of prompting immediately after problem behavior occurs during functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(1), 121-137. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.889

  • Lloyd, B. P., Weaver, E. S., & Staubitz, J. L. (2016). A review of functional analysis methods conducted in public school classroom settings. Journal of Behavioral Education, 25, 324–356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-015-9243-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Lundy, E., Healy, O., Ramey, D., Carolan, T., Dempsey, R., & Holloway, J. (2021). Evaluating the utility of interview-informed synthesized contingency analyses in informing the treatment of problem behavior among children with autism spectrum disorder. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 23(1), 109-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2021.1981752

  • Mace, F. C., & West, B. J. (1986). Analysis of demand conditions associated with reluctant speech. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 17(4), 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(86)90065-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mace, F. C., Page, T. J., Ivancic, M. T., & O’Brien, S. (1986). Analysis of environmental determinants of aggression and disruption in mentally retarded children. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 7(2), 203–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-3092(86)90006-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCord, B. E., Thomson, R. J., & Iwata, B. A. (2001). Functional analysis and treatment of self-injury associated with transition. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34(2), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2001.34-195

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McIntyre, L. L., Gresham, F. M., DiGennaro, F. D., & Reed, D. D. (2007). Treatment integrity of school-based interventions with children in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 1991–2005. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(4), 659–672. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2007.659-672

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Metras, R. L. (2021). Distance-based collaborations for assessing and treating problem behavior (Publication No. 28772681) [Doctoral dissertation, Western New England University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

  • Northup, J., Wacker, D., Sasso, G., Steege, M., Cigrand, K., Cook, J., & DeRaad, A. (1991). A brief functional analysis of aggressive and alternative behavior in an outclinic setting. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24(3), 509–522. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1991.24-509

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffman, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hrobjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Plos Med, 18(3), e1003583. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pmed.1003583.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, R. I., Vannest, K. J., Davis, J. L., & Sauber, S. B. (2011). Combining non-overlap and trend for single case research: Tau-U. Behavior Therapy, 42, 284–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2010.08.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Rajaraman, A., Hanley, G. P., Gover, H. C., Staubitz, J. L., Staubitz, J. E., Simcoe, K. M., & Metras, R. (2021). Minimizing escalation by treating dangerous problem behavior within an enhanced choice model. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 219-242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00548-2

  • *Rajaraman, A., Hanley, G. P., Gover, H. C., Ruppel, K. W., & Landa, R. K. (2022). On the reliability and treatment utility of the practical functional assessment process. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00665-6

  • Rakap, S., Rakap, S., Evran, D., & Cig, O. (2016). Comparative evaluation of the reliability and validity of the three data extraction programs: UnGraph, GraphClick, and DigitizeIt. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 159–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.09.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, E. M., Kindle, A. E., & Pence, S. T. (2010). Functional analysis and treatment of aggression maintained by preferred conversational topics. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 723–727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2010.08.006

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • *Rose, J. C., & Beaulieu, L. (2019). Assessing the generality and durability of interview-informed functional analyses and treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52(1), 271-285. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.504

  • *Santiago, J. L., Hanley, G. P., Moore, K., & Jin, S. (2016). The generality of interview-informed functional analyses: Systematic replications in school and home. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 797-811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2617-0

  • Severini, K. E., Ledford, J. R., & Robertson, R. E. (2018). Systematic review of problem behavior interventions: Outcomes, demographics, and settings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48, 3261–3272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3591-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sham, E., & Smith, T. (2014). Publication bias in studies of an applied behavior-analytic intervention: An initial analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 663–678. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.146

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • *Sidwell, M. D., Gadke, D. L., Farmer, R., Ripple, H., & Tritley, J. (2021). Evaluating the potential for correspondence between brief functional analysis and interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis procedures. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 37(2), 160-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/08295735211041815

  • Sigafoos, J., & Saggers, E. (1995). A discrete-trial approach to the functional analysis of aggressive behaviour in two boys with autism. Australia & New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 20(4), 287–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Slaton, J. D., Hanley, G. P., & Raftery, K. J. (2017). Interview-informed functional analyses: A comparison of synthesized and isolated components. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(2), 252-277. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.384

  • Slaton, J. D., & Hanley, G. P. (2018). Nature and scope of synthesis in functional analysis and treatment of problem behaviors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(4), 943–973. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.498

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slocum, S. K., Scheithauer, M., & Muething, C. (2021). Demonstration of a negative reinforcement preference assessment to determine aversiveness of types of social interaction. Behavioral Interventions, 37(3), 611–635. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1844

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Strand, R. C.W., & Eldevik, S. (2016). Improvements in problem behavior in a child with autism spectrum diagnosis through synthesized analysis and treatment: A replication in an EIBI home program. Behavioral Interventions, 33, 102-111. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1505

  • *Taylor, S. A., Phillips, K. J., & Gertzog, M. G. (2018). Use of synthesized analysis and informed treatment to promote school reintegration. Behavioral Interventions, 33, 364-379. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1640

  • Vannest, K. J., Parker, R. I., Gonen, O., & Adiguzel, T. (2016). Single Case Research: web based calculators for SCR analysis. (Version 2.0) [Web-based application]. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University. Retrieved Saturday 2nd April 2022. Available from singlecaseresearch.org

  • Vannest, K. J., & Ninci, J. (2015). Evaluating intervention effects in single-case research designs. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93, 403–411. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12038

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, V. L., Chung, Y. C., & Bonnet, L. K. (2018). Function-based intervention in inclusive school settings: A meta-analysis. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 20(4), 203–216. https://doi.org/10.1177/109830071771835

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Ward, S. N., Hanley, G. P., Warner, C. A., & Gage, E. E. (2021). Does teaching an omnibus mand preclude the development of specifying mands?. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(1), 248-269. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.784

  • *Warner, C. A., Hanley, G. P., Landa, R. K., Ruppel, K. W., Rajaraman, A., Ghaemmaghami, M., Slaton, J. D., & Gover, H. C. (2020). Toward accurate inferences of response class membership. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(1), 331-354. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.598

  • What Works Clearinghouse. (2020). What Works Clearinghouse Standards Handbook, Version 4.1. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Amanda Zangrillo and the rest of the Severe Behavior Department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute for their support and guidance in the preparation of this manuscript. This manuscript was developed from the doctoral dissertation of Lauren N. Layman at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lauren N. Layman.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval

Ethical approval was waived by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Southern Mississippi in view of the retrospective nature of the study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

At the time of the study, Lauren N. Layman was at the University of Southern Mississippi and the University Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute. Brad A. Dufrene was at the University of Southern Mississippi. Meleah M. Ackley was at the University of Southern Mississippi and the University Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute. Caitlyn M. Weaver was at the University of Southern Mississippi. Delaney E. Schneider was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute. Zachary C. LaBrot was at the University of Southern Mississippi. Crystal N. Taylor was at the University of Southern Mississippi. Javid A. Rahaman was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute. Kortlyn N. Tawney was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute. Tearny Hart was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute. D. Joe Olmi was at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Lauren N. Layman is now at the University Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe Meyer Institute.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Layman, L.N., Dufrene, B.A., Ackley, M.M. et al. Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analyses on Challenging Problem Behavior: a Single-Case Meta-analysis. Rev J Autism Dev Disord (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00357-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00357-7

Keywords

Navigation