The Overt Behaviour Scale (OBS): A Tool for Measuring Challenging Behaviours Following ABI in Community Settings
By Kelly, Glenn; Todd, Jenny; Simpson, Grahame; Kremer, Peter; Martin, Cheree; Brain Injury, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 307-319Publication Date: March 2006
Study conducted to determine the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the Overt Behavior Scale (OBS), which was designed to measure challenging behaviors observed in clients living in community settings with acquired brain injury (ABI). The OBS consists of 34 items that measure the following: (1) aggression, (2) inappropriate sexual behavior, (3) perseveration (the repeating of words), (4) wandering, (5) inappropriate social behavior, and (6) lack of initiation. Two adult community-based samples of people with ABI participated in the study. The first sample, which consisted of 30 participants, was evaluated on the OBS by 2 researchers and again 1 week later in order to test stability. The second sample, which consisted of 28 participants, were clients of the ABI Behavior Consultancy and were being treated for challenging behaviors. These participants were administered the OBS before treatment commenced and again four months later. The results indicated that the OBS demonstrated promise as a reliable, valid and responsive measure that can be used for the systematic assessment of challenging behaviors in community settings. Implications for future research are discussed.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Brain Injury Association (Web Site: http://www.internationalbrain.org )
