The effects of staff self‐management on positive social interactions in a group home setting

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a participative management (self‐management) procedure directed toward increasing the frequency of positive interactions between direct‐care staff and group home residents. A component of the self‐management procedure, goal setting, was also evaluated. This study took place in two group homes housing a total of 16 male and female adults with moderate to mild mental retardation. Ten direct‐care staff served as subjects. It was found that self‐management produced an increase in the frequency of positive interactions of staff and residents, but did not produce changes in other behaviors being measured (e.g., negative interactions, self‐stimulation, etc.). Goal setting did not result in changes in positive interactions or other target behaviors. Reasons for the different results of self‐management versus goal‐setting are discussed and further research is suggested.