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Behavioral assessment of peer interaction and social functioning in institutional and structured settings
Author(s) -
Michelson Larry,
Dilorenzo Thomas M.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198107)37:3<499::aid-jclp2270370308>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - normative , psychology , statistic , coding (social sciences) , reliability (semiconductor) , social relation , cohen's kappa , peer review , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , social psychology , statistics , philosophy , power (physics) , physics , mathematics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , political science , law
Observed 18 children in a short‐term psychiatric facility over a 5‐month period using a peer interaction coding system. The direct behavioral observation method was adapted and revised from existing scales to increase reliability and efficiency for use by institutional staff. Response codes included Adaptive Peer Interaction, Maladaptive Peer Interaction, Solitary Independent Play, and Response to Staff. Reliability was assessed on 35% of the total coded intervals, which yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 94.3%. In addition, reliability coefficients were calculated for each individual component behavior, an extremely important but often ignored statistic, and all yielded reliabilities greater than 90%. Normative rates for children on the psychiatric unit also are presented, and discussion is provided concerning the application of this coding system in clinics, schools, and institutional settings.