A FUNCTIONAL-ANALYSIS OF VERBAL INTERACTIONS OF DRUG-EXPOSED CHILDRENAND THEIR MOTHERS - THE UTILITY OF SEQUENTIAL-ANALYSIS

Sequential analysis was used to conduct a functional analysis of posit ive and negative behaviors of five prenatally drug-exposed preschooler s while interacting with their mothers and with an unrelated adult on separate occasions. Videotaped interactions were coded for positive an d negative verbal and nonverbal behaviors. Functional relations betwee n child's target behaviors and adults' antecedent and consequent behav iors were identified and resulted in positive-compliant and negative-c oercive classes of behavior. All dyads demonstrated positive-compliant patterns. Two mother-child dyads engaged in extended sequences of neg ative-coercive interactions whereas the unrelated adult terminated neg ative exchanges quickly. These sequential data suggest the need for de veloping specific behavioral training programs for mothers of drug-exp osed children and other significant adults. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons , Inc.