Delay discounting of treatment outcomes by caregivers of children undergoing different behavior-analytic interventions

Abstract

Outcomes of behavior-analytic interventions implemented with children can be mediated by the behavior of their caregivers, such as when they are called upon to implement treatments in natural settings. However, those outcomes are also often delayed, and humans have shown a decreased sensitivity to delayed reinforcement. This study replicated prior research on discounting of delayed treatment outcomes by caregivers of children receiving behavior-analytic interventions for dangerous or destructive behavior. It also compared sensitivity to delays by these caregivers with that of caregivers of children undergoing interventions focused on skill acquisition and to address food selectivity or refusal. Results demonstrated that caregivers of children receiving each type of behavior-analytic intervention discounted the value of delayed treatment outcomes. Caregivers of children undergoing intervention for dangerous or destructive behavior discounted the value of delayed treatment outcomes significantly more than those whose children were undergoing intervention focused on skill acquisition, indicating that immediacy was particularly important for those caregivers.