A chain analysis is a technique designed to help a person understand the function of a particular behavior. 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. In other words, a person tries to discover all the links in the chain that ultimately resulted in a problem behavior.
For example, a person may identify the situation he was in, the thoughts he was experiencing, or the feelings he was having just prior to engaging in that behavior. In doing so, a person can increase his awareness of all the factors that may put him at risk for a problem behavior. This way, a person has the better ability to intervene early on to prevent that behavior in the future.
