Workplace Violence in Applied Behavior Analysis: Prevalence and Victimization Response Training

Abstract

Workplace victimization involves an employee performing an act of violence towards another employee within the work environment. Prevalence data of workplace victimization within the field of behavior analysis do not currently exist. Additionally, workplace victimization literature focuses primarily on preventing the occurrence of such incidents. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to (a) collect data regarding the prevalence of workplace victimization within the field of behavior analysis and (b) use remote behavioral skills training to teach responding to workplace victimization. Results indicated that those working within applied behavior analysis experience workplace victimization resulting in negative outcomes (e.g., decreased job satisfaction) and have limited training and policies regarding workplace violence. In addition, remote behavioral skills training was effective in teaching all three participants a response to workplace victimization. This study expands the literature on the prevalence of workplace victimization in applied behavior analysis and training victimization responses in the workplace.