Measuring indices of happiness in a parent-training program.

• Main Author: Ewing, Sarah A.
• Other Authors: Ala'i-Rosales, Shahla
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2008
• Subjects: Indices of happiness; parent training; toddlers; autism; Happiness.; Parents of autistic children > Psychology.; Parenting > Study and teaching.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc6114/

Behavior analysts have long recognized the need for direct and reliable measurement of complex behaviors that are important to society. Recently investigators have approached one of the singular most complex behaviors: happiness. Limited research, however, has explored happiness in parent-training programs with children with autism and their families. The current study applied the definitions and data systems used in Broome's 2007 study to obtain indices of happiness within a parent training program for parents of toddlers with autism. Direct measures of smiles and laughs were collected from videotaped assessments. Results suggest that the program increased behaviors associated with happiness. Results are discussed in terms of program development and future research.