We have developed the Need-drive Dementia-compromised Behavior (NDB) model to explain three major problem behaviors of dementia, i.e., aggressive physical behavior, wandering, and problematic vocalizations. This report addresses aggressive physical behavior (APB). To date, work on APB lacks a coherent and comprehensive theoretical base and presents these behaviors from the perspective of caregivers e.g., disruptive of caregiving. Little attention is paid to the goals and meaning of such behavior, as does the NDB model. This model is derived from prior empirical work and drives a five year NIH supported study which examines the correlates and predictors of such behavior. The study goes beyond the usual bi-variate analysis of such behavior with comprehensive assessment of Background and Proximal variables. The measurement of selected APB predictor variables and preliminary data on these variables is the focus of this presentation.
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