A Behavioral Chain Analysis is a wonderful tool to break down and look at problematic behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and their consequences. The chain shows that our behaviors don't happen on its own. Rather it is linked through a multitude of factors which we break down in the links of the chain as outlined in the diagram above.
How to use the chain:
1.Take time to identify Problematic Behaviors to address in the chain. Use one behavior to target for simplicity.
Be specific and detailed. No vague terms. Describe the intensity and behavior in great detail.
2. Describe the Prompting Event in detail.
What were the environmental factors that caused the cascading sequence of events? What was happening around you when you were triggered? List everything that you can think of: Time of place, outdoor/indoor, people, location, anything that could be associated with being triggered.
3. Describe your Vulnerabilities.
What factors made you Vulnerable to the prompting event? Were you under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Did you have a physical illness? Did you feel stressed? What were your emotions? Were there previous examples where you felt like you did here?
4. Describe the BET links:
Describe in great detail what Bodily Sensations/ Emotions/ Thoughts were in the next set of links. Write these out as it happened, no matter how much or how little, every little detail helps. These can be actions, feelings, and beliefs you may have about the event and behavior. If there is a scene from a movie or television show that you think can help explain yourself, use that too.
5. What were the Consequences?
Describe the Consequences of the problematic behavior and your reaction to the prompting event. How did your behavior affect you? How did other people react? Examine the immediate effects and the after effects that came later in the time since the behavior. Identify any reinforcers of the problematic behavior.
6. Solutions: Go back and examine each link in the chain.
As we observe each individual link in this chain: Identify where you could have done something different to avoid the problem behavior. Possible examples are practicing a coping strategy or skill, removing ourselves from the event, talking to someone, etc.
7. Strategy: Form New Links
Develop a strategy for the next time these behaviors are present now that we have analyzed the links of this Behavioral Chain Analysis. Once you’ve identified links where you could have changed the original outcome, draw a new circle and write down what you could have done differently. Below are some possible examples. Try to identify all the positive coping skills and strategies that you can think of.
A Behavior Chain Analysis is a great starting point in helping identify the sequence of events that lead up to the behavior(s) we want to change. Can you identify some behaviors that you’d like to consider changing and utilize this framework? As with all skills, practicing and incorporating other effective skills can help you approach your own turning point.
Jamie Wang, LPC-S
If you’re interested in additional skills, take a look at Jamie’s WISEMIND worksheet here.