Implementation of Behavioral Therapy (Economic Token) on the Ability of People with Mental Disorders in Fulfilling Self-Cleaning (Personal Hygiene) in Medan Sunggal Subdistrict

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some common problems experienced by all people with mental disorders (ODGJ) are impaired personal hygiene activities including bathing, dressing up, eating, and toileting. Psychiatric nurses must, therefore, possess the ability and knowledge on how to meet the personal hygiene requirements for these patients by providing caregiving with behavioral therapy (economic tokens), through behavior modification, using positive reinforcement.

AIM: This study aimed to apply behavioral therapy (economic tokens) to the ability of ODGJ in the fulfillment of personal hygiene within Medan Sunggal subdistrict.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research type used was quasi-experiment with the one-group pre-test-post-test approach, while the procedure was performed by providing nursing actions in the form of behavioral therapy (economic tokens). This study involved a total of 31 respondents with mental disorders ODGJ, obtained through total sampling in the unified Medan Sunggal subdistrict.

RESULTS: The use of behavioral therapy (economic tokens) was found to improve the ability of ODGJ to carry out personal hygiene, with a mean difference of 1.19 (from 1.87 to 3.06).

CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric nurses, therefore, ought to motivate and help accompany families to monitor the personal hygiene fulfillment ability of family members with mental disorders.