Learning about Chain Analysis in order Prevent Domestic Violence: A DBT-Type Method

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According to the Very Well Mind Website, Chain Analysis can be described as:

“A behavior chain analysis is a process that can help people better understand why certain behavior happens. When it comes to addressing maladaptive behavior, a chain analysis can be useful for identifying the different factors that contribute to that behavior.

Chain analysis can be helpful in the treatment of different mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), substance use, and other conditions. It is an important technique in a type of therapy known as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 

What Is a Behavior Chain Analysis?

Also known as functional analysis, a chain analysis is a technique designed to help a person understand the function of a particular behavior. 1 During a chain analysis of a particular problem behavior (for example, deliberate self-harm), a person tries to uncover all the factors that led up to that behavior.

Behaviors can serve multiple functions. Therefore, go through a chain analysis for a number of different situations that led to problem behavior and try to identify all the functions a problem behavior serves for you.

In other words, a person tries to discover all the links in the chain that ultimately resulted in problem behavior. Therefore a chain analysis will help you figure out all the things that can contribute to problem behavior.”  (SOURCESOURCE).

GOING THROUGH THE WORKSHEET (Linehan, 2015):

  Questions:  

1. What exactly is my major PROBLEM BEHAVIOR that I am analyzing?
2. What was the PROMPTING EVENT in the environment started me on the chain to my problem behavior?  Include what happened RIGHT BEFORE the urge or thought came into my mind.
3. Describe what things in myself and in my environment made me Vulnerable?
4. Links in the Chain of Events: Behaviors (Actions, Body Sensations, Cognitions / Thoughts, Feelings) and Events (in the environment).
• Possible Types of Events:
• Actions
• Body Sensations
• Cognitions / thoughts
• Events
• Feelings

• List the Chain of Events (Specific Behaviors and environmental events that actually did happen).  Use the ABC-EF list above.

• 1st
• 2nd
• 3rd
• 4th
• 5th 
• 6th
• 7th
• 8th 
• 9th

• List new, more skillful behaviors to replace ineffective behaviors.  Use the ABC-EF list.

• 1st
• 2nd
• 3rd
• 4th
• 5th 
• 6th
• 7th
• 8th 
• 9th

5. What exactly were the consequences in the environment?

And in myself?

 

What harm did my problem behavior cause?

6. Prevention Plans:

        Ways to reduce my vulnerability in the future:

        Ways to prevent precipitating event from happening again:

7. Plans to repair, correct, and overcorrect harm: