Process-based functional analysis can help behavioral science step up to novel challenges: COVID - 19 as an example

Abstract

Historically speaking, the behavioral tradition advanced functional analysis as a method of applying existing principles to novel situations. In the more than half a century since that idea was advanced, functional analysis has either fallen into disuse, as in most of applied psychology, or has been used but modified to a point that is virtually inapplicable elsewhere, as in applied behavior analysis work with severe developmental disabilities. In this paper we argue that the current challenges with COVID-19 present an ideal time to reinvigorate functional analysis by combining it with the growing body of evidence on processes of change, organized under an extended evolutionary meta-model. This new form of process-based functional analysis takes advantage of the strengths of contextual behavioral science, while opening avenues of fruitful interaction with other wings of intervention and evolutionary science more generally. Using the psychological flexibility model as an example, we show how this approach solves the key problems of classical functional analysis and helps professionals deal with novel challenges such as those posed by COVID-19. Humanity is now facing an extraordinary and unexpected situation. Behavioral science needs to rise to that challenge in a way that provides both immediate practical value and greater assurance of long-term benefits for our understanding of human complexity more generally. Process-based functional analysis can be a vehicle to do just that.

“Third‐wave” cognitive and behavioral therapies and the emergence of a process‐based approach to intervention in psychiatry

“…The idea of moving away from treating psychiatry labels toward treating the individual patient by understanding the process-based complexity of his/her problems and applying tailored intervention strategies is not new. The use of functional analysis and case formulation is at the core of the behavioral tradition 73,115 , but an empirical complex network approach based on ecological momentary assessment data drawn from the last 40 years of processbased research is a substantial expansion, elaboration and further development of this early tradition. In addition, it provides a heuristically valuable model for a treatment-relevant classification system that is based on treatment processes.…”

“…We have identified the steps needed in such a process-based form of functional analysis 73 . Unlike classical functional analysis, the steps begin with the consideration of the features of the case in terms of possible complex network formulations, identification of possible change processes within the network, and collection of higher temporal density longitudinal measures to build out the network empirically.…”

“…In what follows we summarize the literature on psychological processes of change in CBT, focusing largely on processes with mediational evidence. Our larger point is that, by their progressive work on processes and procedures, the eras and “waves” of CBT have built a foundation that now allows the entire mental health field to move beyond protocols that are focused on syndromal entities into a new, idiographic form of process‐based functional analysis 73 .…”

Integrating theory-based and data-driven methods to case conceptualization: A functional analysis approach with ecological momentary assessment

“…Using elements of FA as variables enabled us to investigate psychological processes and shifted the focus away from symptom descriptions and classification of disorders (Hayes et al, 2020). From a clinical perspective, the assessment strategy may facilitate the objectification of psychotherapists' heuristics of the patients' mental health problems and enhance treatment planning (Arean et al, 2016;Wright & Zimmermann, 2019).…”

“…The data analysis, statistics, and the number and nature of the selected targets varied widely. Future research should answer the question how we could move from FA to intervention (Hayes et al, 2020).…”