Indirect functional assessment in clinical behavior analysis

Covert behaviors – such as thoughts and emotions – are a central component of emotional disorders. Distressing covert behaviors are typical behavioral excesses in emotional disorders, and thus common target behaviors. As operational definitions are a core element of behavioral treatment, assessment of covert target behaviors using self-reported or indirect measures are necessary. Clinically, indirect functional assessments are widely used and is a central component of most behavioral treatments of emotional disorders. Even so, limited evidence exist on these procedures in clinical behavior analysis. This talk will use Behavioral Activation treatment for Depression as a base for examining overt and covert behavior. As indirect functional assessments are necessary in clinical behavior analysis, we need more knowledge regarding both methodological and clinical limitations and opportunities of the assessment. Finally, we will discuss if standard functional assessment procedures are feasible for assessing covert behavior, and if technological improvements – such as smartphone-based assessment – can enhance validity.