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Psychotropic medications are often used to treat problem behaviours in people with intellectual disability which not only occur frequently but also tend to persist over time. This study examined the pattern of prescription of such medications to manage problem behaviours for adults with intellectual disabilities in a specialist psychiatric unit in Hong Kong. Individuals aged 18 or above with problem behaviours and receiving psychotropic medication for treatment in hospital, outpatient and community settings were studied. Their demographic and clinical information was collected. The type and dosage of medications were retrieved from the computer database and analysed. Those with psychotic disorder and mood (affective disorder) were excluded. After screening, 236 patients met the inclusion criteria. People with moderate intellectual disability accounted for most of the cohort (46%). Autism spectrum disorder was the commonest psychiatric diagnosis (35%) and aggression the commonest problem behaviour (52%). Antipsychotics, mood stabilisers and antidepressants were prescribed to 96%, 20% and 13% of the subjects respectively. The profile of problem behaviour in the Chinese population with intellectual disability is consistent with the findings reported in the world literature. Antipsychotic drugs are the most commonly prescribed class of psychotropic medication used to treat such behaviours. Although the current evidence is not strong enough to support a clear‐cut recommendation on the use of medications, the dichotomous notion of ‘prescription’ or ‘no prescription’ for problem behaviours may be simplistic.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether police problem behaviors decline over time as officers gain experience, or whether they rise again as officers approach or pass the typical year of retirement.

Research hypotheses were tested examining mean citizen complaint rates by years of experience, for a cohort of officers for a 14‐year period at the aggregate level, and a semi‐parametric, group‐based approach at the individual level, to estimate developmental trajectories of officers who follow similar pathways over time.

While at the aggregate level rates of citizen complaints steadily decline between years 4 and 23, there were three trajectories underlying this aggregate pattern. These trajectories differed in terms of their magnitude, but all exhibit a general decline over time, except for the most problematic group. For this group, problem behaviors began to rise between years 16 and 23.

This study relies on citizen complaints as the primary indicator, which can over‐ and under‐represent problem behavior, was done in a large agency, which may not be representative, and does not include information on geographic assignment or arrest productivity over time.

Research findings suggest that for the most problematic officers, problem behaviors may exhibit an increase near retirement.

This study employs a longitudinal data set, which can examine within‐officer change in problem behaviors over time.

The prevalence, correlates (child behaviour problems and negative parenting) and determinants (risk and protective factors) of parental need for support were examined in a community sample of 177 mothers with a child aged 1.5‐3.5 years, in order to draw a profile of families that need parenting support. A substantial number of the mothers reported needing support (40% reported need for information, 10% reported family and social support needs). This need was related to child behaviour problems and to negative parenting. Maternal depression, difficult temperament of the child and negative life events, as well as total number of risk factors, significantly predicted the need for support. Satisfaction with support (but not number of support sources) acted as a protective factor.

Adolescent problem behaviours (substance use, delinquency, school dropout, pregnancy, and violence) are costly not only for individuals, but for entire communities. Policy makers and practitioners that are interested in preventing these problem behaviours are faced with many programming options. The purpose of this review is to discuss two criteria for selecting relevant parenting programmes, and provide five examples of such programmes.

The first criterion for programme selection is theory based. Well-supported theories, such as the social development model, have laid out key family-based risk and protective factors for problem behaviour. Programmes that target these risk and protective factors are more likely to be effective. Second, programmes should have demonstrated efficacy; these interventions have been called “evidence-based programmes” (EBP). This review highlights the importance of evidence from rigorous research designs, such as randomised clinical trials, in order to establish programme efficacy.

Nurse-Family Partnership, The Incredible Years, the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Strengthening Families 10-14, and Staying Connected with Your Teen are examined. The unique features of each programme are briefly presented. Evidence showing impact on family risk and protective factors, as well as long-term problem behaviours, is reviewed. Finally, a measure of cost effectiveness of each programme is provided.

The paper proposes that not all programmes are of equal value, and suggests two simple criteria for selecting a parenting programme with a high likelihood for positive outcomes. Furthermore, although this review is not exhaustive, the five examples of EBPs offer a good start for policy makers and practitioners seeking to implement effective programmes in their communities. Thus, this paper offers practical suggestions for those grappling with investments in child and adolescent programmes on the ground.

This study aims to use a sequentially implemented intervention package to reduce the occurrence of perseverative requesting and other problem behavior in a young girl with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In this single-case study, subsequent to a functional analysis and a preference assessment, an intervention package consisting of three components (i.e. a tolerance for delay to reinforcement, choice-making and visual schedule) was implemented sequentially to address perseverative requesting and other problem behavior maintained by access to preferred items/activities in a young girl with ASD.

Via the intervention package, the girl demonstrated higher self-control skills (i.e. delaying access to preferred items/activities, choosing more preferred items/activities with delayed access over less preferred ones with immediate access, completing tasks before having access to preferred items/activities) with a reduction of perseverative requesting or other problem behavior.

The current case study presents concrete steps that could be applied to address tangible-maintained perseverative requesting using more natural and educationally relevant signals while improving the child’s appropriate skills (e.g. delay to reinforcement, self-control and task engagement).

A high proportion of people with learning disabilities receive psychotropic medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety drugs including benzodiazepines, buspirone and beta blockers, mood stabilisers such as lithium and some antiepileptic medications, psychostimulants, opioid antagonists and also vitamins and diets. Many receive these for behaviour problems for which these medications have not been indicated. Apart from a few exceptions of recent good quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of risperidone on the management of behaviour problems among children and adults with learning disabilities with and without autism, most of the evidence for the effectiveness of medication for the management of behaviour problems comes from non‐controlled or non‐randomised observational studies. The lack of evidence does not automatically mean that there is evidence that these medications are not effective. Current guidelines suggest that a thorough assessment of the cause and effect of the behaviour problems should be carried out before prescribing medications. A formulation should document the assessment and rationale for use of medications. Non‐medication based interventions should always be considered along with medication and where appropriate behavioural and psychological interventions should be employed either instead of or along with the medication. People with learning disabilities and their carers should be involved in the decision‐making process all along. Where necessary other relevant professionals should also be involved. At the outset the time, method and people involved with the follow‐up assessment should be determined. Follow up should involve an objective assessment of target behaviours but, more importantly, an assessment of the quality of life of the person and their carers. At each follow up a reformulation should be carried out along with consideration of non‐medication based management and the possibility of withdrawing medication. Important issues such as capacity, consent and legal issues should always be borne in mind. Medications should be used with some caution because of their adverse effects.

This article describes a national guideline for the use of medication in the management of problem behaviours in adults with an intellectual disability. As problem behaviours in this group are common and medication is often prescribed ‘off licence’, it is important that a framework is established to direct this practice. The article details a guideline development project that is of importance because it is the only national guideline in the area. It also highlights important issues in clinical practice in the field, and addresses the current evidence base on the effectiveness of psychotropic medications in the management of problem behaviours. There is a lack of good research evidence to support use of medication for problem behaviours. Where medication is used for this purpose, it should be used with a clear rationale, following a thorough assessment of the individual, and carefully monitored, and withdrawal should always be considered. People should always be given information in a way that they understand, and they should be given choices about their treatment.

This study aims to propose a model of publics' ethical activism, testing the role of emotional outrage in an extended framework of the previously established STOPS model. Thus, this study aims to investigate (1) how ethical perception of a social issue affects situational motivation that leads to participation in public activism, and (2) how emotional outrage plays a role in mediating between situational motivation and activism behaviors.

The study aims at investigating the mediating role of emotional outrage between situational motivation and activism behaviors, which have not been investigated thoroughly in public relations research. By conducting a national survey with 386 people (N = 386) living in Australia, the study's suggestive model was tested in the context of two ethical issues (e.g. climate change and anti-racism). This study found that people who perceive an ethical issue are likely to be motivated to participate in activism behaviors. Specifically, three situational perceptions (i.e. problem recognition, constraint recognition and involvement recognition) were found to be significant factors affecting situational motivation (SM) in problem solving. A high level of emotional outrage was found to play a mediating role between SM and consequential ethical activism behaviors. The more people feel outraged about an ethical issue, the more likely they will engage in punitive behavior. This study contributes to the theoretical development of public relations by illuminating how situational perceptions lead to emotional outrage that promotes behavioral intentions in an ethical context. This study also suggests that a practitioner should be sought to manage the levels of perceptual factors when setting up a communication plan in response to an ethical public crisis.

This study found that people who perceive an ethical issue are likely to be motivated to participate in activism behaviors. Specifically, three situational perceptions (i.e. problem recognition, constraint recognition and involvement recognition) were found to be significant factors affecting situational motivation (SM) in problem solving. A high level of emotional outrage was found to play a mediating role between SM and consequential ethical activism behaviors. The more people feel outraged about an ethical issue, the more likely they will engage in punitive behavior.

This study substantiates how three perceptual antecedents may conjointly affect situational motivation. Also, the findings in this study also contribute to theoretical development in predicting ethical activism intentions. Another contribution of this study is to demonstrate the mediating role of emotional outrage between situational motivation and ethical activism. The authors strived to explore individuals' perceptions and its impact on intention to boycott against ethical problematic social issues. It should be considered that this study used a hypothetical and manipulated situation where respondents are exposed to the visual stimuli that focus on the moral problems that those specific issues have raised.

First, as problem recognition plays a prime mover role in the overall problem-solving process in an ethical context, organizations should reduce individual's ethical problem recognition. When setting up a communication plan, an organization should showcase their positive role in addressing the ethical problems (e.g. to show Adani's commitment to indigenous people and efforts to protect the environment). The response strategy should be effective enough to create an “ethical dilemma,” which refers to a situation in which one has a difficult choice to make between two ethical options.

This study contributes to theoretical development of public relations by illuminating how situational perceptions lead to emotional outrage that promotes behavioral intentions in an ethical context. This study also suggests that a practitioner should be sought to manage the levels of perceptual factors when setting up a communication plan in response to an ethical public crisis.

This study sets out to empirically investigate the effect of salesforce output control on perceived job autonomy, customer-oriented selling behaviours and sales performance.

Data are gathered from 704 salespeople and their visiting customers in Ghana. The hypotheses are tested using the structural equations modelling technique (SEM).

According to the findings of the study, output control has a significant and positive impact on perceived job autonomy. It also discovers that perceived job autonomy improves both customer-directed problem solving and adaptive selling behaviours. Furthermore, the study finds that customer-directed problem solving and adaptive selling behaviours both improve sales performance. Moreover, the study uncovers that perceived job autonomy mediates the relationship between output control and customer-oriented selling behaviours, whereas both customer-oriented selling behaviours mediate the relationship between perceived job autonomy and sales performance.

The current study provides both practical and theoretical insights into salesforce control dynamics, job autonomy, adaptive selling behaviour, customer-directed problem-solving behaviour and sales performance. The findings have important implications for sales organisations because they can assist sales managers in determining the best type of salesforce control systems to deploy and highlight the strategic role job autonomy plays in enhancing sales performance.

The current study shows how output control can influence salespeople's perceived job autonomy, adaptive selling and customer-directed problem-solving behaviours, and how these can improve sales performance.

The paper reports on a review of assessment scales commonly used for assessment of psychiatric illnesses or behaviour problems in adults with learning disabilities. Initially, a literature search was conducted to identify relevant peer‐reviewed journal publications pertaining to relevant scales. Those scales with more publications were reviewed with reference to the scale composition and psychometric properties. In total, eight behaviour scales, one psychiatric illness scale and three combined behaviour and psychiatric illness scales are reviewed.